YouTuber and Bhojpuri Actor Mani Meraj Arrested on Rape and Forced Conversion Charges

Ghaziabad Police on Monday arrested Mani Meraj, a YouTuber, Bhojpuri actor, and IPL commentator, on charges of rape, forced religious conversion, and fraud following a complaint filed by a woman content creator. The arrest was made in Patna, with Meraj later brought to Ghaziabad on transit remand for interrogation.

According to the FIR lodged at Khoda Police Station on September 18, the complainant accused Meraj of befriending her under a false identity, drugging her, and sexually assaulting her multiple times under the pretext of marriage. She further alleged that Meraj pressured her to convert her religion, forced her into unnatural sexual acts, and coerced her to undergo an abortion after she became pregnant. The woman also claimed he cheated her of several lakh rupees and emotionally manipulated her through false promises.

Police said a detailed investigation was launched after the complaint, and evidence was gathered before the arrest. “The accused has been arrested from Patna and brought to Ghaziabad. Interrogation is underway, and further investigation will determine the extent of the crimes,” said ACP Indirapuram Abhishek Srivastava. Officials are also probing potential links to forced religious conversion networks.

The case has triggered strong reactions from local groups. The Bharatiya Raksha Dal, a Hindu rights organization, welcomed the arrest and urged authorities to pursue the case strictly, calling it an instance of “love jihad.” Its leader, Pinky Chaudhary, said the matter underscores the need to protect women from such exploitation.

The complainant, who runs a YouTube channel, has appealed for strict legal action, claiming she was deceived by Meraj’s public persona. The accused, known for his comedy videos and brief film appearances, remains in police custody as the investigation continues.