Lulu Mall Supervisor Arrested in Lucknow for Drugging, Rape, and Forced Religious Conversion
- MGMMTeam
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across Lucknow, a 20-year-old Hindu woman employed at Lulu Mall has accused her supervisor, Mohammad Farhaj (also known as Faraz), of drugging and raping her. The case has garnered significant attention due to allegations that the accused also blackmailed the victim and coerced her to convert to Islam under threat of losing her job. This incident has raised serious concerns about workplace safety, sexual violence, and forced religious conversions in India.
The Incident and Allegations
According to the complaint filed by the victim, the ordeal began when Farhaj allegedly spiked her cold drink with a sedative. Once incapacitated, he sexually assaulted her and recorded the act on video. Using this recording as leverage, Farhaj allegedly blackmailed her, demanding cash and jewelry to keep the video private. More shockingly, he insisted that she convert to Islam if she wanted to continue working at Lulu Mall. The victim, a practicing Hindu, reportedly faced immense pressure to abandon her faith.
When she resisted these demands, the accused escalated his intimidation tactics, subjecting her to cigarette burns and verbal abuse. He also threatened her with death, exacerbating her trauma. The victim endured severe emotional and physical distress as she was coerced to renounce her religious beliefs to safeguard her employment.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Following the victim's complaint, Lucknow police launched an immediate investigation. Farhaj was apprehended in the Sushant Golf City area of Lucknow and has been charged with rape, criminal intimidation, blackmail, physical assault, and forced religious conversion. The police have remanded him to judicial custody pending further inquiry.
The investigation has expanded to include cyber-forensic experts who are probing possible connections between Farhaj and online religious conversion networks. Authorities are also interviewing other employees at Lulu Mall to determine whether this case is part of a broader pattern or an isolated incident.
Broader Social Context
This case highlights troubling issues at the intersection of workplace exploitation, sexual violence, and religious coercion. The use of sexual assault as a tool for blackmail and forced conversion is particularly alarming. Experts and activists are voicing concerns about the vulnerability of women in workplaces and the need for stronger legal protections to prevent such abuses.
Forced conversions under duress have long been a contentious topic in India, and this incident adds to the ongoing debate on protecting religious freedom while ensuring workplace safety and justice for victims of sexual crimes.
Mall Management and Public Response
As of now, Lulu Mall’s management has not issued any official statement addressing the allegations or the ongoing investigation. This silence has raised questions about the responsibility of employers to ensure safe working environments and support victims.
Meanwhile, public outcry and demands for justice have grown on social media and community forums. Many are calling for swift legal action and systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The arrest of the Lulu Mall supervisor in Lucknow on multiple serious charges underscores the urgent need for robust mechanisms to protect employees from sexual exploitation and religious coercion. This case not only calls for justice for the victim but also highlights broader societal challenges surrounding workplace harassment, abuse of power, and forced religious conversions.
As the investigation continues, it is imperative for authorities, employers, and civil society to work together to create safe, inclusive, and respectful environments for all workers, irrespective of their faith or background. The hope remains that justice will be served swiftly and that this case will serve as a catalyst for stronger safeguards against such crimes.
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