In a disturbing case from the Jajmau area of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim woman has accused her husband and in-laws of orchestrating her rape under the guise of the Islamic practice of halala. The woman, seeking justice, has lodged a formal complaint through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) portal, prompting an investigation by the Moolganj police.
According to the woman’s complaint, her ordeal began when her husband demanded ₹1,50,000 from her shortly after their marriage on November 30, 2023. Unable to meet his financial demands, she alleges that her husband physically assaulted her and pronounced triple talaq to end their marriage abruptly.
The trauma, however, did not end with the divorce. The woman claims that her mother-in-law, assuring her that she could remarry her husband, coerced her into undergoing halala , a practice where a divorced woman must marry and consummate the marriage with another man before she can remarry her first husband. Shockingly, the woman alleges that she was forced into this arrangement with her brother-in-law.
During the so-called ritual, the woman claims that her husband’s brother-in-law raped her while two other brothers-in-law stood guard outside the door to prevent any intervention. Adding to the horror, she alleged that her husband extorted ₹50,000 from her as a precondition to agree to the halala arrangement.
The woman also stated that her marriage had been troubled from the beginning. She accused her husband of being abusive, disrespectful, and possibly involved with another woman. Facing sustained emotional and physical abuse, along with the horrifying exploitation disguised as religious ritual, she turned to the authorities for help.
Officials have confirmed that the investigation has been handed over to the Moolganj police station. Authorities are currently verifying the allegations, and legal action will follow based on the outcome of the inquiry.
The case has sparked outrage locally, with calls for strict action against those misusing religious practices to exploit and abuse women. Rights activists have emphasized that such criminal acts must not be shielded under religious customs and must be dealt with under the full force of the law. The woman continues to demand justice, hoping her voice will lead to accountability for the perpetrators.
