Lucknow: Police arrested Shariq Khan (34), a wanted co-accused in the KGMU religious conversion and sexual exploitation case, late Thursday. He allegedly played a key role in facilitating forced conversions and coercing young women under the pretext of marriage.
DCP West Zone Vishwajeet Srivastava said Khan actively assisted junior resident Ramizuddin Nayak, alias Rameez, in manipulating victims psychologically, portraying their families and religions negatively, and pressuring them into conversions. Obscene videos were allegedly used to enforce compliance.
Khan, who had a Rs 25,000 reward on his head, was arrested near Mehndi Ghat crossing, Thakurganj, by a joint team of the Western Zone Surveillance Unit and Chowk police. During interrogation, he admitted to signing marriage documents as a witness, highlighting his direct involvement in formalising marriages following forced conversions.
Authorities revealed that Khan had recently obtained a passport and was reportedly planning to flee abroad. A non-bailable warrant (NBW) had been issued against him by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow.
The case was registered on December 23 after a female MD Pathology student at KGMU filed a complaint, leading to FIR No. 302/2025 at Chowk police station. Charges include multiple provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
Police investigations are ongoing, including examination of digital evidence, financial links, and the broader network allegedly involved in the conversion racket.
