A shocking case from Lucknow’s Lulu Mall has surfaced, where supervisor Mohd Farhaj allegedly raped and blackmailed a Hindu colleague
The Allegations: Drugged, Assaulted, and Threatened
The Lulu Mall horror unfolded inside one of Lucknow’s most prominent commercial spaces Lulu Mall, where a young woman alleged that her supervisor, Mohd Farhaj, lured her to his residence under false pretenses. According to the FIR filed at Sushant Golf City Police Station, Farhaj allegedly spiked her cold drink with an intoxicant, raped her while she was unconscious, and filmed the assault to later blackmail her.
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The victim, originally from Sultanpur, claimed that Farhaj repeatedly threatened to leak the video if she resisted further abuse. She also alleged that he burned her with cigarettes, extorted money and jewelry, and physically assaulted her when she refused to comply.
Most shockingly, Farhaj allegedly told her,
“If you want to work at the mall, you must convert to Islam.”
This statement, if proven true, adds a deeply troubling layer of religious coercion to an already heinous crime. The victim stated that Farhaj mocked her faith, insulted Hindu deities, and pressured her to abandon her religion.
Arrest and Investigation: Yogi Government Responds Swiftly
Following the complaint filed on July 7, 2025, Lucknow Police launched an immediate investigation. On July 8, Farhaj was summoned to the station and arrested under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges of rape, assault, blackmail, and religious intimidation.
Farhaj, 27, was employed as a cash supervisor at Lulu Mall and is a resident of Ayodhya’s Ghosiana locality. He was presented before the court and remanded to judicial custody. The police have confirmed that digital evidence, including the alleged video, is being examined by forensic teams.
DCP South Nipun Agarwal stated that the investigation is ongoing and that the police are also probing whether Farhaj acted alone or was part of a larger coercion network. Other mall employees are being questioned to determine if similar incidents have occurred.
The Yogi Adityanath government, known for its tough stance on law and order, has assured that strictest legal action will be taken. Women’s rights groups and civil society organizations have demanded transparency in the investigation and psychological support for the victim.
Broader Implications: Safety, Faith, and Accountability
This case has ignited a nationwide conversation about workplace safety, religious freedom, and gender-based violence. The allegations of forced religious conversion have added a volatile dimension, especially in a state where communal tensions have historically flared.
Key Issues Raised:
- Workplace Harassment: The incident underscores the urgent need for robust internal complaint mechanisms and employee safety audits.
- Religious Coercion: If proven, the demand for conversion as a condition of employment violates constitutional protections and could trigger legal reforms.
- Digital Blackmail: The use of obscene videos for extortion reflects a growing trend in cyber-enabled abuse, demanding stronger digital privacy laws.
- Mall Accountability: Lulu Mall management has yet to issue a formal statement. Public pressure is mounting for them to clarify their hiring practices and safety protocols.
Social media has erupted with hashtags like #JusticeForVictim, #LuluMallScandal, and #ProtectHinduWomen, with thousands demanding swift justice and institutional accountability.
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