Bijnor's Vishal, Forcibly Converted As ‘Hamza’ In Kashmir, Rescued And Brought Back To UP

Last Updated:May 21, 2026, 12:14 IST

Bijnor Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jha said that the complaint was filed by Vishal's father at Kotwali Police Station on May 18.

Bijnor Religious Conversion Case: In a significant breakthrough, a minor boy from Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor, who was allegedly taken to Jammu and Kashmir and forcibly converted to Islam, has been safely rescued and brought back by police.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Vishal, was found in Kashmir after his family lodged a complaint alleging that he had been lured away on the pretext of a job and later pressured into converting his religion. The teenager has been rescued and brought back to the city and is being extensively questioned.

Bijnor Superintendent of Police Abhishek Jha said that the complaint was filed by Vishal’s father at Kotwali Police Station on May 18.

“On 18 May 2026, a person filed a complaint at Kotwali Police Station alleging that his minor son was taken to Jammu and Kashmir by another accused and forcibly converted there. The victim has been safely rescued from Jammu and Kashmir and is being extensively questioned…" he said while addressing a press briefing.

As per the police, Vishal had gone to Bandipora in Jammu and Kashmir in October 2023 along with an accused identified as Wasim to learn salon work and earn a livelihood. He later also worked at a salon in Baramulla in 2025.

The police said that Vishal recently returned to Bijnor for a short period as discussions regarding his marriage were taking place at home. He later went back to Kupwara, where he allegedly started working at another salon. During questioning, he reportedly stated that he was converted at a mosque in Kupwara district on May 15.

According to the family, Wasim allegedly took Vishal to Kashmir after promising him employment. It claimed that after reaching there, the boy was threatened and forced to convert to Islam. The family further claimed that his name was changed to “Hamza" after the conversion.

The matter gained attention after a purported video linked to the alleged conversion surfaced on social media platforms and spread widely.

Following the video, Vishal’s family approached police authorities and demanded immediate intervention for the boy’s safe return and strict action against those involved.

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