A couple from Karnataka in India has been accused of coercing a 28-year-old married woman into converting to Islam through blackmail and rape. The case filed by the woman has accused seven people of blackmail in total.

The accused, identified as Rafik and his wife, allegedly manipulated the woman and engaged in sexual activities with her.

They then used explicit photos taken during these encounters to blackmail her into converting from Hinduism to Islam.

According to the victim’s complaint, Rafik and his wife forced her to live with them in Belagavi in 2023, demanding complete compliance with their instructions.

The woman claimed that she was raped by Rafik in the presence of his wife while they all resided together.

In April of this year, the couple allegedly prohibited her from wearing ‘kumkum’ (a religious symbol) and compelled her to wear a burkha, as well as perform namaz (Islamic prayers) five times a day.

The victim further stated that she was subjected to caste-based slurs and pressured to convert to another religion due to her belonging to a backward caste.

Rafik reportedly went as far as asking her to divorce her husband, threatening to leak the intimate photos if she refused to comply.

The couple even issued death threats against her if she did not convert.

Following the woman’s complaint, an FIR was registered in Saundatti against seven individuals, including Rafik and his wife.

They have been charged under various sections of the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, the IT law, the SC/ST Act, and the Indian Penal Code.

These charges include rape, kidnapping, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, and offenses related to the violation of religious freedom.