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Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Indian Express
Ghaziabad interfaith couple: As family again alleges woman kidnapped, she says ‘left house as per my wish'
Nearly two months after the father of a 25-year-old woman in Ghaziabad accused her in-laws of kidnapping her, only for the daughter to claim that she has entered into an interfaith marriage by choice, her family filed a complaint at the Indirapuram police station on Wednesday, alleging that she has been kidnapped again. Minutes later, a purported video surfaced in which the woman, Sonika Chauhan, claimed that she had left her home on Wednesday to be with her husband, Akbar Khan (29). She also named some people who allegedly tortured her and wanted her to frame Akbar. Sonika, meanwhile, on Wednesday wrote to the Ghaziabad district magistrate seeking police protection, police said. 'I, Sonika, on July 30, around 2 pm, left my house as per my wish… Since last two months, my parents and some other people, including Meena Bhandari, Harish Karakoti, Kapil Tyagi, my maternal uncle Vikram Rawat and my paternal uncle Jagdish Singh Chauhan, had been torturing me physically and mentally… they wanted me to give a statement against Akbar in court and frame him under POCSO (Act) and put him behind bars. But I protested… I will only tell the truth,' she is heard saying in the video. Speaking to The Indian Express, DCP (Trans-Hindon) Patil Nimish Dasharath said the family has filed a complaint and soon an FIR will be registered in the case. The investigating officer of the case, added that the family, in the complaint, has alleged that Akbar entered their house, abducted their daughter and stole Rs 50,000 in cash and jewellery. The matter had first come to light on May 25, when Sonika's father, Laxman Singh Chauhan, filed a complaint with the Indirapuram police station, accusing Akbar of kidnapping Sonika. The Ghazibad Police had then raided Akbar's home in the Nyay Khand area of Indirapuram and 'handed over' Sonika to her parents. Following this, the police had arrested Akbar, his two sisters, sister-in-law, and a neighbour. A group of around 60 men had also attacked Akbar's shop and vandalised it. A purported video had surfaced before Akbar's arrest, in which Sonika could be heard saying that she wanted to stay with him and that they had secretly gotten married at a Delhi SDM office under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 in August 2022. They, however, did not immediately start staying together. In Wednesday's video, Sonika is heard saying that she had recorded her statement before the magistrate. 'Since my statements were not in accordance with what my family wanted me to say… they started threatening me,' she said. 'I had said before the magistrate that I wanted to stay with my family… thinking that both the families would live peacefully. But now they are forcing me to give another statement against Akbar…,' she said, adding that she does not want to stay with her family anymore. Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express. She covers crime, health, environment as well as stories of human interest, in Noida, Ghaziabad and western UP. When not on the field she is probably working on another story idea. On weekends, she loves to read fiction over a cup of coffee. The Thursday Murder club, Yellow Face and Before the Coffee Gets Cold were her recent favourites. She loves her garden as much as she loves her job. She is an alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. ... Read More
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Didn't get protection, separated instead': HC slams Delhi Police for violation of rights of interfaith couple
The Delhi High Court has slammed the Delhi Police for allegedly separating an interfaith couple instead of providing them protection. Noting that the woman was detained at a shelter home, the High Court has sought an explanation from the police. In an order on July 25, Justice Sanjeev Narula underlined that 'such conduct, prima facie, amounts to a violation of fundamental rights of the couple… particularly their right to liberty, dignity, and to make autonomous decisions concerning marriage, as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution'. The bench also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) concerned to ascertain the woman's safety, and move the couple to a safe house in accordance with Delhi Police's standard operating procedure (SOP). A Muslim man, in a relationship with a Hindu woman since 2018, and represented by advocate Utkarsh Singh, moved the High Court with a petition seeking the court's urgent directions, on July 25 to the Delhi Police to provide the couple with necessary protection and a safe house as the Supreme Court-mandated guidelines stipulate. The request was made after the couple expressed their intent to marry which was met with intense familial opposition and threats. On July 22, as per the petition, the woman met the man in Delhi and the couple had then approached the DCP (South East district) for police protection under the Delhi Police's SOP for consenting adult couples. However instead of being provided with the safety as desired, the couple was 'forcibly separated' with the woman 'medically examined, and later detained at Nirmal Chhaya Women's Shelter around 3 am on 24.07.2025, despite her repeated and recorded pleas to be with' her partner. According to the couple's advocate Singh, the two were reunited and housed at a safe house several hours after the HC's order. The High Court has also sought a status report from the police on the circumstances surrounding the events of July 23-24, including the action taken on the couple's complaint where they had expressed their fear of potential threats to their safety as they intended to get married under Special Marriage Act, and had sought police protection in this regard. The HC has kept the matter for further consideration on August 8 when the police is expected to furnish details on the incident.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Their info leaked online, Dehradun interfaith couple say marriage application on hold amid threats and pressure
After being in a relationship for over a decade, a couple from Dehradun decided to get married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. However, on Saturday, their application was put on hold after two witnesses pulled out, citing threats from right-wing groups and objections from the woman's father, who was threatened with a boycott by his community. According to the couple, their wedding plans unravelled because the man is a Muslim and the woman a Hindu. The details of the couple — both 28 years old — along with their photographs, were uploaded online by a Facebook user, leading to a flurry of threats, abuses, and visits to the family of the woman. The woman, who works at a clinic, said her relatives and others turned up at their door on Saturday, disparaging the family for 'letting her marry' the Muslim man. 'My parents are neither happy nor upset about my decision. They respect my choice. However, after the entire system came against us, my father was forced to raise objections with the SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate). The page that has gone viral on social media is not the notice put up on the board of the office of the SDM, but from our file with the officer,' she said. She alleges that some lawyers who work with the man she is set to marry, as well as some government officials, 'are facilitating this hounding and delaying our second motion'. The SDM has denied allegations that the documents were leaked from his office. The man who sought to marry her works as an advocate in Dehradun, but has not gone to work since their details went up online. Threats, allegedly from the Hindu Raksha Dal, Bajrang Dal, and other outfits, have been pouring in ever since, he claimed. 'We have known each other since class 6 and attended the same college. We are exercising our fundamental rights and getting married under the Special Marriage Act. How can their law prevail over the Constitution?' he said. The woman said she fears her job is on the line after her employer came across the social media posts. 'Though I have not been terminated, the doctor called to tell me to stay put until things blow over. I'm not sure if they will lay me off if this persists,' she said. The couple had sought protection from the High Court on Friday. The division bench of Chief Justice G Narender and Justice Alok Mahra had directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to comply with the Supreme Court verdict in the Lata Singh vs State of UP and Another (2006) case. The apex court had directed the administration and police across the country to ensure that when any man or woman, who is a major, undergoes inter-caste or inter-religious marriage with a woman or man who is also a major, the couple is not harassed by anyone nor subjected to threats or acts of violence. They were also directed to ensure that anyone who gives such threats or harasses or commits acts of violence, either himself or at his instigation, is taken to task by instituting criminal proceedings by the police against such persons, and further stern action is taken against such persons as provided by law. The woman claimed that police did not lodge an FIR on her complaint and told her they can only protect her in case of a 'real threat'. The couple's lawyer said that she has been ostracised for helping them get married. Meanwhile, SDM, Sadar, Har Giri, said that he was looking into the objections raised by the woman's family. Asked about the delay, he said, 'We have to look into the cause for the withdrawal by the witnesses. My responsibility is to enquire about the matter; threats to the couple do not figure in my responsibilities.' He denied allegations that the documents with details of the couple were leaked from his office. Earlier this year, another couple from Udham Singh Nagar faced a similar ordeal after their details were made public by right-wing outfits despite a High Court order directing protection from threats.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Interfaith couple's marriage notice circulates online, triggers privacy concerns
Dehradun: The marriage notice of an interfaith couple from Dehradun, filed under the Special Marriage Act (SMA), was widely circulated on social media on Saturday, raising concerns of a possible leak from the SDM office and a serious breach of their privacy. The incident has triggered fears of the couple being targeted, especially after a post on X urged users to "save the girl from the man," alongside their photographs and address. This comes months after a similar case in Udham Singh Nagar, where the SMA notice of another interfaith couple, already under police protection on the directions of the Uttarakhand high court, was leaked and widely circulated online. At the time, social media posts called for protests and urged people to report the "love jihadi," despite the couple firmly denying any allegations of religious conversion. In the latest case, the couple had submitted their application earlier this week at the SDM Sadar's office. As mandated by law, it states their intent to solemnise the marriage within three calendar months. Officials said the notice is a public document under the law, and "not much can be done to prevent its circulation". "As per the process, time has been given for objections. The woman's father has also submitted one. We will hold hearings in the coming days and proceed accordingly," said SDM Hari Giri. He added that the couple has not yet approached authorities about a privacy breach or threats, but appropriate action will be taken if they do.
The Print
23-07-2025
- General
- The Print
Breaking barriers: Anti-superstition body launches inter-caste matchmaking centre
The service is open to individuals and families who voluntarily support inter-caste and interfaith marriages and registration at the centre is free, said Hamid, who is the son of slain rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar. Claiming it to be the first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti member Hamid Dabholkar told PTI on Wednesday that it is a part of the organisation's long-standing mission to promote rationalism and social equality. Pune, Jul 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti has launched an inter-caste and interfaith matchmaking centre, to dismantle caste and religious barriers and offer hope to people seeking life partners beyond such boundaries, a representative of the anti-superstition body said. 'There have been attempts to create rifts within communities and faiths in the state as well as across the country. It is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals seeking partners beyond the boundaries of caste or religion. This initiative aims to offer support and hope to such individuals,' he said. Shankar Kanse, the state coordinator of the matchmaking centre, and another coordinator Dr Dnyandev Sarvade appealed to prospective brides, grooms and their parents to register at the facility. 'Once registered, suitable matches will be suggested based on mutual preferences, and a verification process will ensure decisions are made with informed consent. Couples are also encouraged to marry under the Special Marriage Act or through Satyashodhak rituals,' said Kanse. The matchmaking centre not only supports inter-caste and interfaith unions, but also welcomes applications from widows and widowers looking to remarry, he added. 'Dr Narendra Dabholkar believed that caste is the biggest superstition, and inter-caste marriages can be a powerful tool to annihilate the caste system. We have launched the initiative with this belief,' Kanse said. He claimed the MANS operates Maharashtra's first 'Safe House' for inter-caste and interfaith couples, located in Satara district, providing them with temporary shelter and protection. 'So far, in the past year, around 18 couples have availed the Safe House facility in Satara,' he said. In addition to providing temporary shelter, the MANS also extends legal aid and works towards reconciliation with the families of such couples, Kanse said. The state government has also established safe houses in various districts, often within government guest houses or quarters, to provide shelter and security to inter-caste and interfaith couples facing threats or violence. PTI SPK GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
