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Not just the Hadiya case, NIA examining ‘love jihad’ angle in 90 other inter-faith marriages

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Love Jihad

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NIA investigators hopeful of finding link between inter-faith marriages in the Kerala and radical Islamic outfit PFI

Even as the Supreme Court presides over a case to re-examine its earlier order of a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the marriage between Hadiya alias Akhila Ashokan and Shafin Jahan, it has now come to light that the premier anti-terror agency is also examining at least 90 other inter-faith marriages that took place in Kerala for a possible ‘love jihad’ angle.

The Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a petition filed by Jahan challenging a Kerala High Court order which annulled his marriage with Hadiya while calling it a case of ‘love jihad’, had ordered the NIA to probe if there was a “pattern” to these inter-faith marriages in the southern state which could be linked with terror.

The NIA probe had been ordered when the matter was being heard by a Bench presided over by former Chief Justice of India, JS Khehar. However, Justice Khehar’s successor – Chief Justice Dipak Misra – who is now presiding over the case has been urged by Jahan’s counsel, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, to re-examine the order for an NIA probe.

The latest reports about a much broader NIA probe into other inter-faith marriages that took place in Kerala over the last two years could trigger a debate over whether a counter-terror agency should be used to probe a marriage between two possibly consenting adults.

According to a report by NDTV, the NIA is examining if the 90 inter-faith marriages in Kerala – besides the marriage between Hadiya and Shafin Jahan – were organised by groups preying on vulnerable Hindu women to recruit them as terrorists. The NIA had told the SC earlier that these inter-faith marriages were part of a design by global terror organisation Islamic State (IS) to recruit vulnerable Hindu women within its ranks and then radicalise them to spread terror.

NDTV quoted a senior NIA official as saying that in 23 of these 90 cases which were being examined, the investigators hoped to be able to link the individuals concerned “to the Popular Front of India, a radical Islamic outfit that has been under the scanner of security agencies after its members chopped off the hand of a professor in Kerala in 2010.” The attack was described as retaliation for a “blasphemous” question he had put to his students in a college.

The officer said over 60 PFI activists have already been questioned in this connection.

However, the NIA has maintained that it will need to go beyond establishing a link between PFI operatives and the inter-faith marriages. The agency will also need to find evidence that the conversion was taking place to train the Hindu woman (or man) for terror activities.

The counter-terror agency says it has recorded statement of three women who say they were lured to convert to Islam. The three include Athira alias Ayesha from Kasargod and Athira from Palakad. “We spoke to both Athiras and both have said they were lured,” a senior NIA officer said. However, there is no evidence yet of either of these women being radicalised and pushed into executing anti-national or terror activities nor is there any evidence yet to substantiate how exactly they were lured into converting to Islam.

NIA officers say they are probing the role played by Sainaba, president of PFI’s women’s wing, the National Women’s Front, in the suspected love jihad cases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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