Bijnor district court on Wednesday passed a judgement saying a 22-year-old Muslim woman who married a Hindu man and converted her religion is free to do as she deems fit.
The woman, a resident of Rehad village, disappeared from her residence under mysterious circumstances on June 23. Three days later her father registered a missing complaint at Rehad police station.
Police sources said while they were trying to locate her, the woman submitted an application to Allahabad High Court stating that her relatives were threatening to harm her and her husband, a resident of Paroli village in Badaun district. She claimed that her husband being a Hindu was one of the major causes of hostility.
“The high court ordered us to take her in custody and produce her in the local court for recording her statement after getting a medical examination conducted,” said Rakesh Paliwal, SHO, Kotwali.
She was taken to Bijnor district court on Wednesday, where, soon upon her arrival her relatives tried to forcibly separate her from her husband. The attempt was thwarted by police intervention. A clash also broke out between the woman’s family members and her supporters while proceedings were on in court.
“The court finally decided that the woman being an adult can choose to live with whoever she wishes and instructed us to escort her home,” SHO Paliwal also said.
