Hadiya's statement more important than NIA's 'allegations', says Shafin Jahan's lawyer

Hadiya’s father told the Supreme Court that the atmosphere has become extremely communal and requested the top court to revisit its decision of open court hearing. 

Hadiya’s husband Shafin Jahan’s lawyer Kapil Sibal said, “Hadiya’s statement is more important than that of NIA.”

The Supreme Court will take up the 'Love Jihad case' on Monday where Kerala's Hadiya, who had converted to Islam and married a Muslim man, will appear in person before it. 

The Apex court had directed the father of Hadiya to produce her before it on November 27.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, had asked senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing the father of the woman, to ensure that she is produced that day for interaction with the bench, which is likely to ascertain her mental health and whether she had given free consent to the marriage.

On November 25, Hadiya had said she wanted to be with her husband, as she was whisked away by her parents and security personnel to board a flight to Delhi.

Chaotic scenes prevailed as mediapersons, who tried to approach her, had jostled with the policemen after she reached the airport in Nedumbassery amid tight security.

“I am a Muslim. I was not forced. I want to be with my husband,” the 25-year-old Hadiya, wearing a head scarf, had shouted as she was being taken inside the airport. (With PTI Inputs)