Kerala 'love jihad' case: Nobody forced me into marriage, says Hadiya

KOCHI: Hadiya alias Akhila, who is on her way to Delhi to appear before the Supreme Court , told reporters at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) that no one forced her into marrying

Shefin Jahan

.

"I want to go with my husband. Nobody forced me to convert," Hadiya, who will be produced before the apex court on November 27, told reporters gathered outside the airport.



The Kerala high court had in May annulled the marriage of Hadiya and Shefin Jahan which took place in December 2016. Jahan then approached the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. The apex court in turn referred the investigation to the NIA.

Hadiya is now being escorted by the police to Delhi along with her father Asokan, who was directed by the top court to produce her before it on November 27.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing into the Hadiya case had again recorded her statements last week.

The central agency had officially taken over the case, re-registering it at NIA court in Kochi on August 18.

Hadiya had been staying at her friend Jaseena's residence after returning from Salem, where she was studying for BHMS.

Ashokan’s complaint had alleged that Aboobacker, father of Jaseena, persuaded Hadiya into embracing Islam.

In August, the Supreme Court directed the NIA to probe the matter after Hadiya's husband challenged the Kerala High Court order that nullified their marriage.

The NIA had earlier alleged in the court that there was a "well-oiled machinery working in Kerala" which indulged in indoctrination and radicalisation of women, and 89 such cases have been reported.


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