In a significant breakthrough, the Lucknow Police on Friday arrested an absconding junior resident doctor from King George's Medical University (KGMU). The accused is alleged to have repeatedly raped a junior woman doctor under the false pretext of marriage, forced her into an abortion without consent, and coerced her to change her religion.
The Arrest and the Manhunt
A joint team from the West Lucknow surveillance unit and the Chowk police station finally apprehended the accused, Rameezuddin alias Rameez (31), near the City Station in Lucknow. He had been evading arrest since the case was officially registered on December 23. Due to his prolonged absconding, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Headquarters) had announced a cash reward of ₹50,000 for information leading to his capture, a move that ultimately aided the police operation. No recovery was made at the time of his arrest.
Chilling Details from the Complaint
The case came to light when a woman medical student from KGMU submitted a detailed written complaint at the Chowk police station. She accused her senior colleague, Rameez, of sexually exploiting her over a long period by consistently promising marriage. The complaint contained grave allegations, stating that the accused later forced her to undergo an abortion without her consent and exerted pressure on her to convert her religion.
Based on her testimony, an FIR was registered under multiple relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and crucially, under Sections 3/5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
Investigation Uncovers More Victims and Accused
During the probe, investigators made a disturbing discovery. They claimed to have found evidence that Rameez had committed similar offences against another woman medical student. The pattern included sexual assault, forced abortion, pressure for religious conversion, and even marriage under coercion.
The investigation further revealed that the accused's family members were allegedly involved in pressuring the victim. Following these findings, police added more serious sections to the case and named four additional accused: Rameez's father Salimuddin (70), mother Khateja (67), and two others. The elderly parents were arrested earlier on January 5 and sent to judicial custody.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Probe
Further legal proceedings are currently underway. The police are also verifying whether the arrested junior resident, a native of Pilibhit district with temporary addresses in Lucknow and Uttarakhand, is involved in other criminal cases. The arrest marks a critical step in a case that has shocked the medical community and highlighted serious crimes under the state's strict religious conversion law.
