KOCHI: Nullifying the marriage of a new convert, the Kerala High Court directed the State police chief to take over and conduct a Comprehensive investigation into the cases in connection with the forced religious conversion. The court also directed the Police Chief to investigate the activities of organisations which are involved in the cases. The court ordered that such investigation should be completed as expeditiously as possible and the persons who were found to be guilty should be brought to the book.
The court passed the directives while declaring null and void the marriage of a Hindu woman who got reportedly converted into Islam and married a Muslim man. The marriage of the woman was allegedly conducted on December 19, 2016 by the Khazi of Juma Masjid at Srambikkal house, Puthoor. "Marriage being the most important decision in her life, can also be taken only with the active involvement of her parents. The marriage which is alleged to have been performed is a sham and is of no consequence in the eye of law," the court observed.
The court also granted custody of the woman to her parents. The court issued the order while allowing the plea by KM Ashokan of Kottayam seeking custody of his daughter. The woman was staying at the SNV Sadanam, Ernakulam on a court directive after she was produced before the court. According to the petitioner, his only daughter, who was doing BHMS course at a Homeo Medical College in Salem, embraced Islam under the influence of her roommates. From Salem, the girl was taken to an institution, called Sathyasarani and was kept under illegal detention there, the petition stated.
The Perinthalmanna police and the Cherpulassery police station in Palakkad registered cases in connection with two girls converted into Islam, allegedly forcibly.
The court also ordered the superintendent of police , Kottayam to provide women constables to escort the woman to the house of the petitioner. The court also directed SP to provide protection to the petitioner, his wife and the woman and maintain surveillance over them to ensure their safety.