‘Convert to Islam’: Bhojpuri actor accuses YouTuber of rape, unnatural sex and forced abortion

Representative image

A prominent YouTuber with a subscriber base exceeding 16 million has been arrested in Patna following serious allegations made by a Bhojpuri film actor, including rape, forced abortion and religious coercion. The accused, a resident of Khoda, was apprehended by a police team from his residence in Bihar.

According to a report in TOI, the case stems from a complaint filed by the actor, who is also a social media influencer. She alleged that the YouTuber befriended her two and a half years ago while concealing his real name and the fact he was already married.

The police report details that the woman was allegedly invited to the accused's home, where he offered her a soft drink laced with a sedative. She told authorities she lost consciousness and later realised she had been sexually assaulted.

When confronted, the man reportedly pleaded for forgiveness and promised to marry her, a proposition which reportedly persuaded the woman to remain silent due to fears of social stigma.

The situation took a further turn when the YouTuber took the actor to his family home and married her, but insisted the union be kept a secret. Following this, the complainant stated she was subjected to repeated sexual exploitation, including acts classified as ‘unnatural’ under Indian law.

She further claimed she was pressured by his family to convert to Islam and, upon resistance, was physically assaulted, forced to recite religious texts and made to consume foods against her beliefs.

The alleged abuse escalated when the woman was given pills without her consent, leading to an abortion. She also reported facing threats from the accused's family and demands for money, including cash and online transfers. Her complaint revealed she later discovered the YouTuber had relationships with multiple women and had two children from a prior marriage.

Fearing for her life, the actor approached the police. "I fear that the accused might get me killed. Therefore, I request the administration to accept my application and register an FIR," she stated in her plea.

Abhishek Srivastava, the ACP of Indirapuram, confirmed that a First Information Report was registered at the Khoda Colony police station. The charges invoked are severe, encompassing rape, unnatural sex, causing miscarriage without consent, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation and causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life.

"The accused was arrested from Patna and we have secured his transit remand from a local court. On Monday, he was presented in a Ghaziabad court and remanded in judicial custody," Srivastava was cited by TOI as saying.