Bareilly: The Uttar Pradesh Police have uncovered what investigators are calling “Love Jihad 2.0,” an organised network allegedly targeting young Hindu men for religious conversion. Unlike earlier cases where women were prime targets, this gang reportedly trapped men through manipulative marriages, psychological pressure, and even drug addiction.

New twist in conversion racket

Police confirmed at least four arrests in Bareilly while mapping the network’s operations across 14 states and more than 20 cities. The accused have been identified as Abdul Majeed (35), the alleged kingpin from Faiznagar, Salman Raza (30), Mohammad Arif (29) of Kareli, and Mohd Faheem (24) of Saidpur Chunnilal village. Another suspect, Mahmood Beg, is absconding.

Bareilly SP (South) Anshika Verma, who is leading the probe, said, “This time Hindu youths were systematically drugged, brainwashed, and converted.” Investigators believe the module was linked to one Baba Chhangur, also under police radar for earlier conversion cases.

Complaints lead police to the kingpin

The racket came to light after families complained of missing or suddenly converted young men. A pattern emerged from FIRs, mentioning promises of marriage, money, or acceptance. Surveillance of calls and transactions eventually led police to Abdul Majeed, exposing his interstate links.

Police say Majeed’s group preyed on vulnerable men—students, teachers, and unemployed youth—who were emotionally or financially distressed.

How the gang operated

Investigators revealed that the group followed a layered approach. Victims were first befriended in person or online, lured into relationships, and slowly introduced to religious literature. Once emotionally attached, they were pressured to convert, sometimes under the promise of marriage.

Those who resisted were manipulated further, with some even introduced to addictive substances. “The intention was not just conversion but to weaken family bonds and ensure dependence,” an officer said.

Human stories behind the case

The racket’s reach has left behind disturbing individual accounts:

  • Prabhat Upadhyay becomes ‘Hameed’: A visually impaired government teacher from Bulandshahr, Prabhat was struggling after a divorce. Befriended by members at a Bareilly restaurant, he was promised remarriage and slowly indoctrinated. He was on the verge of conversion when police intervened.
  • Brijpal Singh turns ‘Abdullah’: A coaching teacher from Kareli, Bareilly, Brijpal fell into depression after an accident, his father’s death, and his sister’s divorce. He converted, married a member’s sister, and even persuaded his mother and sister to convert.
  • Teenager from Izzatnagar: A 17-year-old B.Com student, supporting his family through part-time salon work, was allegedly drugged by a co-worker linked to the gang. Over time, he was pushed into religious practices and was about to undergo circumcision when the network was busted. His health has since deteriorated due to drug use.

Evidence and recoveries

During raids, police seized fake ID cards, bank passbooks, SIM cards, marriage certificates, and conversion documents. A large cache of sedatives was recovered along with laptops containing records of targeted men across states.

Officials also found over 100 photographs of Muslim women, allegedly shown to Hindu men as potential brides to secure conversions. “We are verifying their identities. The evidence suggests they were projected as marriage prospects,” SP Verma said.

Legal action and widening probe

Police have registered a case under sections 140(3) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Investigators added that provisions of the NDPS Act may also be applied, given the alleged use of drugs.

More arrests are expected as the probe expands. “This is just the beginning. Our priority is to safeguard the youth and dismantle the entire racket,” an officer remarked.