British minor in protective custody claims she has been denied the right to practice her religion

The Hindu

2 days ago

A 16-year-old British citizen claims she has been denied the right to practice Islam, her religion, while held at a shelter home in Raigad, Maharashtra under protective custody. Her mother, Hafsa Aiyub Patel, has sought her immediate custody and safe repatriation to the U.K.
The minor girl, who has expressed her wish to return to her mother, is awaiting the completion of the necessary procedure under the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which typically requires a few days, has been stalled in this case for over a month due to administrative lapses, including 'misrouting' at the level of the police station.
Despite filing a custody restoration application under Sections 39 and 95 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and complying with all directions, the exit process for her minor daughter had been delayed, Ms. Patel said.
Ms. Patel said her daughter's school term was set to begin in the U.K. next week, and her daughter's inability to return was disrupting her education and causing emotional distress.
The girl is said to have informed her mother that she has not been allowed to wear her hijab, perform her daily prayers, or observe her religious obligations. Her daughter had been made to wear clothing against her religious beliefs and was discouraged from taking the name of Allah while in custody, her mother has alleged. This violated her right to religious freedom and dignity, she said.
The British High Commission, although involved, has been requested by the minor girl and her family to withdraw from further involvement as the FRRO has made it clear that the direct presence of the parents is required for exit formalities.
Representing Ms. Patel, advocate Hitendra Gandhi, has made an urgent appeal to the Raigad Child Welfare Committee to hand over custody of the minor girl immediately so that the FRRO exit process can be completed, allowing her to return home and resume her education in the U.K. without further delay.
The mother has emphasised that the priority must be the child's religious freedom, right to education, and overall well-being, and has urged the authorities to act swiftly in the best interests of the minor girl.
The girl was taken to the Neral Police Station following a complaint made by Ms. Patel on April 26, alleging that her husband, Suleman Hansabai Akalwaya, was physically exploiting her daughter, who had come to India in 2023 to stay with her stepfather and study here. Based on the mother's complaint, on April 28, the girl was taken into custody by the Raigad Child Welfare Committee.
However, the minor girl has not lodged any complaint against the father, and her mother later stated that certain issues had been 'misinterpreted' based on certain 'miscommunication and misunderstanding', and that she had withdrawn her earlier complaint against her husband. Ms. Patel has also expressed her willingness to take her daughter back into her care and custody.