Lured With a Job, Forced to Convert: Prime Accused in Varanasi Abuse Case Flees Police Net

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), April 25, 2026 — In a major embarrassment for the local police, a prime accused facing grave charges of rape, concealing his religious identity, and forced religious conversion has managed to escape from police custody in Varanasi.

The accused, identified as Aftab Ansari (who operated under the alias Amit Kumar), had been detained on Friday afternoon but reportedly dodged the on-duty policemen and absconded by 7:00 PM the same evening. His sudden escape has sent the local police department into a frenzy, with multiple teams now deployed to track him down.

A Web of Deceit: “Amit” Revealed as Aftab

The chilling case came to light when the victim, who works as a waitress in the catering industry, approached the police with a harrowing ordeal of deception and abuse.

According to her complaint, she first met the accused during a wedding ceremony in April 2024. Identifying himself as “Amit Kumar,” the man promised to help her secure catering contracts. Gaining her trust, he allegedly lured her to a hotel in the Parade Kothi area near the Varanasi Cantt station under the pretext of work, where he sexually assaulted her.

To maintain the facade, the accused promised to marry the victim. The complaint states that a marriage ceremony was staged at a Kali Temple in the Chaukaghat area on March 25, during which the victim’s family also handed over approximately ₹1 lakh in cash.

Forced Conversion and Abuse

The horrifying reality surfaced shortly after the marriage. Instead of taking her to his family home in Rasoolpur, Aftab kept her in a rented room in the Lahartara area. It was here that the victim discovered his true identity.

When she protested the deception, she was allegedly subjected to severe physical assault. The victim told the police that Aftab and his family members—including his father Navi Rasul, mother Gangajali, and brother Mithu Ansari—began relentlessly pressuring her to convert to Islam. Furthermore, she has leveled serious allegations of rape against Aftab’s brother, Mithu Ansari, claiming the brothers routinely trap vulnerable women.

FIR Registered, Manhunt Underway

DCP (Kashi Zone) Gaurav Banswal confirmed that a formal FIR has been registered against four individuals, including Aftab and his family members, covering all aspects of the crime—from concealing identity and rape to forced religious conversion and dowry extraction.

Following Aftab’s shocking escape from custody, the police are facing mounting pressure to recapture the fugitive. Authorities have assured that dedicated teams are raiding possible hideouts, and a thorough investigation into the security lapse at the police station is also underway.