KOCHI: The NIA Court, Kochi, on Friday dismissed the petition filed by the main accused in the case of forceful conversion of a Ranni native, seeking the release of his passport. The petition was filed by Muhammed Riyas of Velayudhamootta, Peringadi seeking permission to travel to Saudi Arabia for renewing his soon-to-expire visa.
For this, he also requested the release of his passport which the NIA had seized after arresting him in February. However, the NIA prosecutor objected to this, saying the accused might abscond if allowed to travel. Considering this, the court dismissed Riyas’ petition.
The case in which Riyas is arraigned pertains to the conversion of a Ranni native.
The victim had alleged Riyas forcefully converted her after marrying her and took her to Jeddah allegedly to sell her to Islamic State (IS) militants.