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Kerala ‘love jihad’ case: SC agrees to examine if Kerala HC erred in annulling Hadiya’s marriage

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Kerala ‘love jihad’ case: SC agrees to examine if Kerala HC erred in annulling Hadiya’s marriage

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The apex court to hear on October 9 a plea challenging former Chief Justice JS Khehar’s order of a NIA probe in the case

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, agreed to examine whether the Kerala High Court overstepped its judicial powers by annulling the marriage of Hadiya alias Akhila Ashokan with Shafin Jahan in what has come to be known popularly as the Kerala love jihad case.

A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also observed that Hadiya’s father, KM Ashokan, could not claim custody to her as she is a “24-year-old adult”. The bench said: “Either we will appoint loco parentis or we will send her somewhere safe. Father can’t insist on her custody”.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Hadiya’s husband, Shafin Jahan in which he has challenged the Kerala High Court’s order that nullified his marriage.

The court also witnessed dramatic arguments put forth by Jahan’s counsel, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, who challenged an earlier order in the case – given by then Chief Justice JS Khehar – of an investigation conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ascertain the veracity of claims that the marriage of Hadiya to Shafin Jahan was not an “isolated incident” but part of a “pattern” of forceful conversion of girls to Islam by way of marriage. The NIA has also been tasked by the apex court to look into the seemingly outrageous and bizarre claims that Hadiya’s marriage was actually part of a radicalization scheme linked with global terror outfit, Islamic State.

On Tuesday, Dave challenged the court’s earlier order of an NIA probe in the case, asserting that “it struck at the very foundation of this multi-religious society” and was “sending terrible signals across the world”.

The apex court’s order of an NIA probe into a case of inter-faith marriage and alleged forced conversion has drawn wide-scale criticism from various legal luminaries and human rights groups.

Dave even asked the court: “two of the seniormost leaders in the BJP are married to members from minority community. Will your lordships order NIA enquiry against them”.

The senior advocate’s charged arguments drew a reprimand from the Bench, with Justice AM Khanwilkar telling Dave: “you are so loud that we can’t hear you”. However, this did not stop the counsel from carrying on with his vociferous arguments.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared in the court in place of ASG Maninder Singh who usually represents the NIA, told the court that the objections being raised by Dave had already been raised by senior advocate Kapil Sibal who was representing Jahan earlier. ASG Mehta said that the order by former CJI JS Khehar of an NIA probe in the case had been given after considering arguments placed by Sibal as well as the NIA.

Giving time to the NIA to properly respond to the charges made by advocate Dave, the Bench noted that it would hear the matter on October 9.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1507036719308{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #c4c4c4 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}”]Background to the Kerala Love Jihad case:

In May this year, the Kerala High Court had declared as “null and void” the marriage of 24-year-old Hindu woman – Hadiya alias Akhila – who had converted to Islam to marry a Muslim man – Shafin Jahan – in December 2016, terming the union as “sham”. It had ordered Hadiya to be placed in her parents’ protective custody.

Akhila was a homeopathy student in Kerala when she converted to Islam. Shafin Jahan had met her with his family in August 2016 in response to her posting on a marriage website and they got married last December.

Jahan, 27, challenged the Kerala High Court order in the Supreme Court, saying that the order was an “an insult to the independence of women in India”. He had requested the Supreme Court to order Hadiya’s father to produce her in court while claiming that she had converted to Islam of her own volition two years prior to their marriage.

Hadiya’s father, however, had said that she was a “helpless victim” trapped by a “well-oiled racket” which used “psychological measures” to indoctrinate people and convert them to Islam. He had also alleged that Jahan is a criminal and that Hadiya had been trapped by a network with connections to the Islamic State.[/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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