The police filed a first information report (FIR) – number 612/19 – and booked the accused under IPC sections 366 (procuration of minor girl) and 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder).

Three weeks have passed since the FIR was filed but the police have not rescued the girl nor arrested the accused, Mohammad Jaseem alias Sameer, yet.

On 2 December, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) took note of the Swarajya report and wrote to the Police Commissioner of Begusarai, directing him to take action in the case and submit an inquiry report on 10 December.

An official from the commission told this correspondent that on the due date, the Begusarai police chief asked for more time. The commission rescheduled the submission to 16 December.

Meanwhile, three days ago, the accused sent a series of messages to the girl’s family on WhatsApp. The messages contained images of the girl’s religious conversion and nikah papers (see images below) as well as a few, short, mobile-shot videos of her.

The girl‘s family is Hindu and belongs to a backward caste.

In the videos, the girl is seen telling the family that it was she who forced the accused to run away with her and her family should now mind their own business. She says she is 20 years old and free to take decisions on her marriage and life.