Afzal had introduced himself to the girl as ‘Arman Kohli’. His real identity came to light later, Hindustan Times quoted special counsel, Amroha, Basant Singh Saini, as saying.
On April 2 2021, Afzal allegedly tried to convince the girl to elope with him so that they could get married. When the girl failed to return home, her father lodged a police complaint the same day.
Afzal then, reportedly, took the girl to Usmanpur area in New Delhi where he revealed his real identity. He then forced the girl to convert her religion, according to Hindustan Times.
However, before the girl could be forced to marry, a police team from Amroha reached the place after tracking Afzal’s location through his mobile phone. The girl was rescued within two days of the complaint.
During the trial, the girl testified against Afzal. The WhatsApp chats between the duo were also presented before the court as evidence against the accused.
In February 2021, the Uttar Pradesh government passed the Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act 2021.
It prescribes a jail term from one and five years, in addition to a fine.
The jail term also extends up to 10 years and a fine up to Rs 25,000 for conversions of women belonging to scheduled caste or scheduled tribe communities, or who are minors.
(With inputs from The Indian Express and Hindustan Times.)