Man Posing as Railway Officer Arrested for ‘Love Jihad’ in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: A shocking case of deception and exploitation has come to light from Sarguja district in Chhattisgarh. Mohammad Mahfuz, a resident of Patna, Bihar, has been arrested for allegedly targeting Hindu girls under the guise of ‘love jihad.’ Using a fake Facebook profile under the name ‘Tarun Pakra’, Mahfuz lured girls into relationships, deceived them, and in one instance even extorted money.

According to police, Mahfuz, who works at a clothing store in Patna, pretended to be a Class One officer posted at Bilaspur Railway. He reportedly approached three girls in Sarguja — two from Ambikapur and one from Kansabel in Jashpur — claiming to be ‘Swaraj Pakra’, and offered them marriage and job opportunities.

Exposed by a Vigilant Victim

The case came to light when one of the girls, who had been staying in a hotel booked by Mahfuz, grew suspicious. Upon checking his belongings, she discovered his original Aadhaar card and realized his true identity. She immediately lodged a complaint with the Gandhinagar Police, who arrested Mahfuz.

Police investigations revealed that Mahfuz had contacted several Hindu girls on Facebook, sending messages from his fake profile. Apart from emotional exploitation, he also extorted money from one girl, reportedly taking ₹54,000 from a young woman employed at a microfinance company.

Public Outrage and Police Action

News of the case has drawn local attention, with Hindu organizations visiting the police station demanding strict action against the accused. Police have confirmed that a criminal case has been registered against Mohammad Mahfuz under relevant sections of the law.

This case highlights the growing concern of online fraud and the manipulation of social media to exploit vulnerable individuals.