Love Jihad case: Hadiya files affidavit in SC

In a recent development in the famous Kerala Love Jihad case, Hadiya has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, stating that she is a Muslim and wants to remain the same.

She also stated that she wants to remain as the wife of Safi Jahan.

On January 23, 2018, the three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, said, "Marriage has to be separate from criminal activity, otherwise we will be creating a bad precedent in law". The bench further added that "We cannot go into the marriage, whether the person she married is a good human being or a bad human being. The NIA can investigate all other aspects, except her marriage."

The bench posted the matter for further hearing to February 22.

On November 27, last year, the Supreme Court had in its order directed that Hadiya be taken to Shivaraj, Homeopathy college at Salem, Tamil Nadu, to continue her 11-month studies.

The college was further ordered to make all the arrangements for her necessary hostel facilities to complete her studies. The Supreme Court had also said that the Dean of the university will act as her local guardian.

Going back to the year 2016, when the girl went missing and her father filed a case in the High Court, stating that his daughter was a victim of love Jihad. The High Court annulled Hadiya's marriage with the observation that she was a "weak and vulnerable girl capable of being exploited" Court also said in its order that "Shefin Jahan is one such person who has been assigned to play the role of going through a sham of a marriage with Ms. Akhila, with the object of transporting her out of India".

Hadiya, who grew up as Akhila Ashokan, converted her name to Islam and insisted in the High Court that it was a personal choice.