Pune Man Arrested For Luring Minor, Attempting Religious Conversion

A 21-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh has been arrested by Fursungi police in Pune for allegedly luring a 17-year-old girl from Ludhiana, Punjab, and attempting to convert her to another religion on the promise of marriage.

The accused, Mohammad Rais Rafiq Sheikh, was booked under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. According to police, the minor girl went missing on August 14, 2025, after leaving her home in Ludhiana, saying she was going to school. Her father, who has been living in Ludhiana for work, filed a missing person report at Sarabha Nagar police station.

The family searched for the girl for nearly a year before she reportedly called her mother on July 30, 2026, saying she was staying with Sheikh in Pune. She shared her location and asked her family to come and take her home. The girl's father then reached out to Fursungi police station and sought their assistance.

Police traced the girl and brought her, along with Sheikh, to the police station. As per the complaint, Sheikh allegedly developed a relationship with the minor and promised to help her complete her education. He then took her from Punjab to Aligarh and Kolar in Karnataka before bringing her to Pune, where they stayed together for around two months.

The girl told her family that Sheikh had established a physical relationship with her against her wishes and told her that she would have to change her religion if she wanted to marry him. The minor underwent a medical examination and was subsequently placed in an observation home on the orders of the Juvenile Justice Board.

The police said that further legal proceedings are underway and the girl will be handed over to her parents after completion of the required formalities. The arrest of Sheikh highlights the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent such incidents of luring and attempted conversion of minors.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, aims to prevent forced conversions and protect the rights of individuals to practice their religion freely. The act has been enacted to curb the menace of forced conversions, which has been a concern in several parts of the country.

The incident also raises concerns about the safety and well-being of minors, particularly girls, who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. It is essential for parents, authorities, and society as a whole to be vigilant and take measures to prevent such incidents from occurring.

In recent years, there have been several cases of minors being lured and exploited by individuals with malicious intentions. The authorities must take stern action against such individuals and ensure that the laws are enforced strictly to protect the rights and safety of minors.

The incident has also sparked concerns about the need for greater awareness and education about the dangers of forced conversions and exploitation of minors. It is essential for schools, colleges, and other institutions to educate students about these issues and provide them with the necessary support and guidance to protect themselves from such exploitation.

In conclusion, the arrest of Mohammad Rais Rafiq Sheikh is a significant step towards preventing such incidents of luring and attempted conversion of minors. The authorities must continue to take strict action against individuals who exploit and abuse minors, and work towards creating a safer and more secure environment for all.

The incident is a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights and safety of minors, particularly girls, and the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent such incidents from occurring. It is essential for society as a whole to be vigilant and take measures to prevent such incidents and ensure that the rights and safety of minors are protected.