The Kerala Women’s Commission (KCW), which had requested to meet with Hadiya, the 24-year-old woman embroiled in the Love Jihad Case, has been denied permission by Hadiya’s father Ashokan.
According to NDTV, the KCW has now requested the police to intervene and find out from Ashokan as to why he has banned his daughter from meeting with the state’s top women’s rights agency.
Only last week did a team from the National Commission for Women visit Hadiya’s home and reported that she was well and safe.
The NCW’s visit comes after Hadiya alleged abuse at the hands of her father in a video that was released by activist Rahul Eashwar. In the video, Hadiya is seen saying:
You need to get me out. I will be killed anytime, tomorrow or the day after, I am sure. I know my father is getting angry. When I walk, he is hitting and kicking me. If my head or any other part of my body hits somewhere and I die...
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on 30 October directed Hadiya’s father Ashokan to produce her in court on 27 November at 3 pm.
Since Hadiya’s return to her home there have been a number of allegations raised about her situation. Activists have alleged that she is being confined against her will, and that Hadiya has told Shafin and others that she is being beaten and harassed at home.
Hadiya's case began in early 2016. After Hadiya left home and converted to Islam in January last year, Ashokan filed two habeas corpus petitions in the Kerala High Court in January and August. The court had rejected the first petition and allowed Hadiya the freedom to choose her own religion. While the HC was hearing the second petition, on 19 December, Hadiya got married to Shafin. The court took exception to the sudden marriage, and raised doubts about its genuineness.
On 24 May this year, the court annulled the marriage and returned Hadiya to her parents’ custody, asking the Kerala police to provide them with protection. When Shafin Jahan approached the Supreme Court with a Special Leave Petition, the SC ordered a probe by the National Investigative Agency into the issue.
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