Surat: A disturbing case has come to light in which a 12-year-old girl hailing from Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh was allegedly abducted, lured to Surat, gang-raped, and pressured to convert her religion. The horrific ordeal came to light after the girl returned home eight days later and recounted her harrowing experience to her family.

The survivor, a resident of Bansura village under the Rampur Mathura police station jurisdiction, claims she was given intoxicating pills and repeatedly gang-raped. She further alleged that her assailants told her, “If you convert to Islam, you will not face any trouble,” in an attempt to coerce her into religious conversion.

The incident dates back to July 14, when the 12-year-old victim left her home with a 15-year-old friend. Both girls had been missing since then. Local Hindu organizations have sharply criticized the area police inspector, accusing him of negligence and failing to even file a missing person report promptly.

According to the victim’s family, the 15-year-old friend, who belongs to the Muslim community, studied with the victim at the same school. Approximately eight days ago, with the alleged assistance of her father, Jamal, the Muslim minor reportedly made the victim wear a veil and took her to Surat. En route, the Muslim girl’s maternal uncle, Shahrukh, allegedly joined them. Shahrukh, along with another unidentified accomplice, is accused by the family of taking turns raping the victim.

The victim’s family has stated that there was significant pressure on the minor to convert to Islam. In response to the allegations of inaction, Ramkot Mathura SHO Krishna Nandan Tiwari has reportedly faced disciplinary action for negligence in handling the case. Police investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full details of the incident and three accused have been nabbed.