Rajsamand Hate Crime: Accused Used ‘Love Jihad’ Charge to Hide His Illicit Affair With Hindu Sister, Says Chargesheet

Jaipur, Jan 15: Shambhu Lal Regar, who is an accused of killing Muslim labourer from West Bengal Mohammed Afrazul in Rajsamand, linked the murder to 'love jihad' to hide his 'illicit relations' with

Jaipur, Jan 15: Shambhu Lal Regar, who is an accused of killing Muslim labourer from West Bengal Mohammed Afrazul in Rajsamand, linked the murder to ‘love jihad’ to hide his ‘illicit relations’ with a woman he called his ‘Hindu sister’, said Rajasthan Police in its chargesheet of the case. Regar allegedly hacked Afrazul to death and burnt his body on December 6 last year. He also filmed the crime and uploaded it on social media, triggering countrywide horror and outrage.

In their chargesheet filed in the court of the Rajsamand chief judicial magistrate on Friday, Rajasthan Police stated Regar linked Afrazul’s murder to love jihad, Article 370 and Islamic terrorism so that his illicit relations with the woman remains a secret. The woman Regar referred to as his ‘Hindu sister’ allegedly eloped with a man called Ballu Sheikh, a labourer, from Afrazul’s village. Regar brought her back but the woman reportedly continued ties with Sheikh which had angered him.

The chargesheet also said Shambhulal Regar had physical relations with the woman. “Shambhulal Regar uske ghar ata jata rehta tha. Uske vah Shambhulal Regar ke bhi dosti thi. Uske vah Shambhulal Regar ke beech sharirik sambandh the (Shambhulal Regar used to visit her home. She and Shambhulal Regar were also friends. She and Shambhulal Regar had physical relations),” reads the chargesheet.

“He gathered information related to videos of Hindu extremists, love jihad, Section 370, Islamic jihad, state of terrorism in Kashmir, increasing population of Muslims, Ram Mandir, Padmavati, PK (film), division of castes in Hindu religion, and reservation and other subjects. Before the murder, he prepared a total of five videos on his mobile phone on communal and religious subjects,” reads the chargesheet, reports the Indian Express.

The police suspect that Regar killed Afrazul because he would help people from West Bengal find employment and accommodation in Rajsamand. He has been booked for murder, outraging religious feelings, and criminal conspiracy, among other charges. The hearing in the case is slated for January 17.