August 11,2017:

Issue involves alleged conversion and radicalization of a Hindu girls and their marriage to a Muslim Boys.

On Thursday, Supreme Court has asked Kerala police to hand over records pertaining to an alleged ‘Love Jihad’ case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for the unbiased investigation.

Case relates to alleged conversion and radicalization of a Hindu girl and her marriage to a Muslim.

Apex Court Bench led by CJI JS Khehar made it clear that “it wants to get whole picture for assessing ramifications of the case.”

Apex Court further added that, “If there are issues going beyond purview of Kerala or is part of a radicalisation trend in Southern states which is threatening the National Security, NIA should be able to assist us”.

Order has come on a plea filed by Shafin Jahan, who had moved Apex Court last month against Kerala High Court’s order, stating that it was an insult to independence of women in India. Jahan had requested the court to order girl’s father to produce her in the court.

According to Jahan, Girl converted from Hinduism to Islam on her own will before the marriage. However, Bench refused to acknowledge protest raised by advocate Haris Beeran appearing on behalf of husband to engage NIA.

Court added that, “Impression gathered by his opposition was that petitioner did not want the correct picture to come up”.

Beeran submitted before the Court that, “Love jihad’ in the common parlance, is some kind of love trap into which the girls fall. This is a simple case, which has been blown out of proportion.”

Justice Chandrachud, however, stated that, “We are not going by such catch phrases used on the social media etc.”

NIA had moved an application stating that it was open to investigate this case, provided Supreme Court issued a specific order. The case will now come up for hearing next on August 16.