Will accept court directive, says Hadiya’s father

KOTTAYAM: “We will accept and obey whatever the (Supreme) Court directs,” said K M Ashokan, father of Akhila alias Hadiya, who converted to Islam and the annulment of her marriage with a Muslim youth by Kerala High Court, is being challenged in the Supreme Court. Ashokan was responding to the Supreme Court direction to produce Akhila into its open court to get her version on November 27.

“I respect the Constitution, the court and its direction. I am a Jawan and I will accept the directions of the court. I don’t think the court would give any wrong directions,” he said. At the same time, he said the court’s dismissal of his request not to take up the case in an open court, was not a setback for him. “Let the case be considered in the open court. It will not affect our affirmations,” He, however, dismissed the reports that Akhila was in house arrest in his residence at T V Puram in Vaikom. “I have no issues on my daughter believing in any religion.

She has no restriction on going out from home. But, she herself, decided not to move out. There are a lot of police personnel, including women police officers, around my house. My daughter is free to go anywhere under police protection. Moreover, she is not a child to be forcibly sent out,” Ashokan said.
He also alleged there has been a concerted campaign against his family right from the beginning of the case.