Lucknow's Lulu Mall manager drugs woman employee and rapes her - 'Convert to Islam'

A manager at the renowned Lulu Mall in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow, was arrested on Tuesday by the Sushant Golf City Police on serious charges including rape, assault and blackmail. The accused, identified as 27-year-old Mohammad Farhaj, was taken into custody after a 25-year-old female employee filed a complaint against him, The Times of India reported.

The woman, originally from Sultanpur district, alleged that Farhaj drugged her and then took her to a hotel where he sexually assaulted her and secretly recorded a video of the act. Later, she claimed, he used the video to blackmail her, pressuring her to convert from Hinduism to Islam. He threatened to leak the video online if she did not agree to his demands.

According to the woman’s complaint, Farhaj had earlier invited her to his home, where she said he also assaulted her and even burned her with a cigarette. She accused him of both physical and mental abuse.

On July 7, the police registered a formal case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Sushant Golf City Police Station. As per the FIR, the accused allegedly mixed an intoxicating substance in her drink, forcing her into a physical relationship.

The woman also stated that Farhaj demanded money and threatened to kill her when she resisted. Inspector Upendra Singh confirmed the contents of the complaint.

“When the victim resisted, Faraj assaulted her, used abusive language, and threatened to kill her. The case was registered at Sushant Golf City Police Station under case number 608/25, sections 64, 123, 308, 115(2), 352, and 351(3) of the BNS,” TOI quoted a police official as saying.

The police summoned Farhaj on July 8. DCP South Nipun Agarwal stated that based on initial findings and evidence presented by the victim, the police arrested him. Authorities are currently verifying all the claims and materials submitted in the case, TOI reported.

A past controversy

Lulu Mall in Lucknow had previously made headlines when a video showing a group offering namaz inside the mall went viral. The incident triggered protests from Hindu groups demanding equal space for religious expression. The mall authorities later filed a case against those offering prayers and clarified that religious activities were not permitted on the premises, India TV reported.