Supreme Court upholds Hadiya's marriage with Muslim man, quashes Kerala HC order

Akhila Ashokan popularly known as Hadiya, a 24-year-old woman from Kerala who converted to Islam to marry a Muslim man, will now live with her husband, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.

The Apex Court cancelling the Kerala High Court order annulling the 24-year-old Hadiya’s marriage to Muslim man after converting to Islam. The judges stated, “The High Court should not have intervened. Hadiya is at liberty to pursue her endeavours.”

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra gave judgement on a petition filed by Hadiya's husband Shafin Jahan, challenging the High Court order annulling their marriage.

The Kerala High Court had cancelled Hadiya's marriage on her father KM Ashokan’s complaint.

He had alleged that that his daughter was brainwashed and was forced to convert to Islam as a victim of ‘love jihad (term used by right wing groups to accuse Muslim men of drawing Hindu women into relationships, converting them to Islam)’ and directed Hadiya to stay with he parents.

Also read : Hadiya says I embraced Islam on will; Seeks permission from SC to live with husband

Hadiya last month in an affidavit had informed the Apex Court that she embraced Islam and married to Shafin Jahan on her own will.

The affidavit stated, “I embraced the religion of Islam on my choice after studying about Islam and thereafter I married a person, namely Shafin Jahan. I embraced Islam and married him on my own free will,” reads the affidavit.

She also requested the Supreme Court to restore are liberty by allowing her to stay with Jahan as husband and wife.

Hadiya is currently pursuing her medical course from Shivaraj Homeopathy Medical College in Tamil Nadu’s Salem after Supreme Court’s direction in November,2017.