Man rapes pregnant daughter-in-law; husband says 'now you are my mother'

• A 20-year-old pregnant woman in Uttar Pradesh alleges rape by her father-in-law
• Her husband disowns her, citing Islamic law, claiming she's now his father's wife
• A case has been registered, and an investigation is ongoing in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh

In a disturbing incident that has rocked the Kakrouli police station area of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, a 20-year-old pregnant woman, Tabassum, has come forward with allegations of rape by her own father-in-law. Even more shocking is the response she received from her husband, who cited Islamic law (Shariat law) as a reason to abandon her.

Tabassum, a resident of Sikandarpur village, had married Mudassir, the son of Istekhaar, on August 19, 2022. However, she claims that her father-in-law, Istekhaar, had been making unwelcome advances towards her ever since her marriage.

The harrowing incident unfolded on July 5, 2023, when Mudassir took his mother to see a physician in Meerapur. Seizing the opportunity, Tabassum alleges that her father-in-law forcibly raped her and threatened her with dire consequences if she were to report the incident.

When Mudassir and his mother returned home that evening, Tabassum courageously revealed the traumatic incident to them. Shockingly, instead of offering support, Mudassir disowned her, stating that she was no longer his wife. He justified this by claiming that, due to his father's actions, Tabassum had become his father's wife and mother, making it impossible for him to continue the relationship. This rejection was accompanied by physical assault as Tabassum was forcibly ejected from her own home.

Emotionally shattered by this ordeal, Tabassum sought refuge at her father's house. However, it wasn't until a month later that she, along with her family, filed a formal complaint with the local police against her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband, seeking justice.

The police have taken immediate action, registering a case against the accused father-in-law, Istekhar, under sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation). An extensive investigation into this disturbing incident is now underway.