'Love Jihad' row takes new turn

The "Love Jihad" controversy in Uttar Pradesh took a new twist with a 22-year-old local girl going back on her earlier statement that she was gangraped and forcibly converted to Islam.
The alleged victim went to the Mahila Police station in Meerut and said that she had "gone on her own free will" with the boy, a Muslim, controverting what she had said in her Sec 164 statement to a magistrate.
However, the father of the girl has disputed her claim and said she has been threatened to give a retraction statement.
The girl has now told the police that she had run away from her house as there was "threat to her life" and alleged that she was also "beaten up".

Police said that after recording her statement in front of an executive magistrate, she has been sent to Nari Niketan (women's home) for her safety and protection.
"Right now she has come to the mahila police station at 8 in the morning and she has told that she has gone on her own free will with a boy. But the case has already been charge sheeted and pending before the court.
"She told the woman police officer that she has life threat from their own parents. On this ground, we have brought the woman to the executive magistrate and he has recorded the statement of the woman. She has been sent to the Nari Niketan for the safety and protection," said Omkar Singh SSP Meerut.