Bhopal: Model Khushbu Ahirwar’s Mysterious Death Raises Questions of Religious Conversion

Bhopal, MP: A new twist has emerged in the mysterious death case of model Khushbu Ahirwar. The police have arrested her boyfriend, Kasim Ahmed, and conducted a search of the flat where the couple lived. During the search, authorities discovered a hijab belonging to Khushbu and an Aadhaar card in which her photograph appeared in a burqa, raising questions about whether she was being forced to adopt Islam.

Family Accusations
Khushbu’s family has alleged that Kasim pressured her to convert and marry, and physically assaulted her when she refused. Initially, Kasim befriended Khushbu under the name Rahul. Her sisters claimed that he subjected her to repeated physical abuse.

Timeline of Events
According to her sister Tara Bai, Khushbu came to Bhopal in 2022 for college and lived in a rented flat at Bhanpur Multi. Alongside her studies, she worked as a model to support herself. During Diwali, Khushbu visited home but appeared distressed. The family learned that Rahul, later revealed as Kasim Ahmed, was pressuring her to convert and marry against her will.

On the night of 8 November, Khushbu called Tara, saying Kasim was forcibly taking her to Ujjain to meet his mother. She refused to go, but the call was abruptly cut off. The next evening, on 9 November, her elder sister Preeti informed the family that Khushbu had died while returning from Ujjain. The family rushed to Bhopal and identified her body at Hamidia Hospital.

Kasim Denies Assault Allegations
In police custody, Kasim has denied physically assaulting Khushbu. Based on the family’s complaints, the police registered a case against him under Sections 296, 115(2), and 351(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 35 of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, and Section 3(2)(5)(k) of the SC/ST Act.

Police sources also revealed that Kasim had altered Khushbu’s Aadhaar card photograph to show her wearing a burqa. Interrogations of Kasim are ongoing as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding Khushbu’s death.