Ranchi shutdown Monday against woman shooter's forced conversion

A shutdown has been called here Monday to protest the alleged torture of a national gold-medal-winning woman shooter to forcibly convert her to Islam by a man who married her while concealing his Muslim identity.

"Many organisations have called for a shutdown in Ranchi on Monday. We demand CBI probe into the entire episode," Ranchi BJP legislator C.P. Singh told reporters. He said: "Some high-profile people are involved in the case. The alleged person was moving in a car with a beacon light."

Many organisations Sunday evening took out a torchlight procession, seeking justice for shooter Tara Sahdeo.

In her police complaint, Sahdeo said she got married in June to a person named Ranjit Kohli. She said the marriage was solemnised as per Hindu rituals.

However, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when people invited her husband for iftar, she came to know that her husband's name was Rakibul Hussain after it was written on the invitation card.

She alleged that Hussain and 20 other people forced her to change her religion. When she refused, she was allegedly beaten up and a dog was made to bite her.

Sahdeo alleged she was threatened with dire consequences if she told anyone about the conversion.

She said she was kept under close vigil but when Hussain went to New Delhi Aug 19, she sent a message to her family members and was rescued.

Jharkhand Women's Commission chairperson Mahua Manjhi met Sahdeo Saturday and assured her of all help.

"We heard her story and assured to help her. We hope police will investigate the case properly and take the culprit to task," Manjhi said.

The Shiv Sena has threatened a shutdown here Monday if Hussain, who is absconding, is not arrested.

"We are investigating the case seriously. Hussain is on the run and his relatives are absconding. We have sealed his flat and seized three four-wheelers and a bike," said Anup Birthare, Ranchi Superintendent of Police.