Hadiya case: Judges to hear Hadiya's side of story in the Supreme Court.
Hadiya, who grew up as Akhila Ashokan in Kerala, married a Muslim man Shafin Jahan last year. Hadiya will testify before the Supreme Court today after her family alleged that she was kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam for the purpose of terror recruitment. The Hadiya case has been dubbed as "love jihad", a practice in which vulnerable Hindu women are allegedly lured by Muslim men who are agents of terrorist groups. Mr Jahan, who had returned to Kerala from the Middle East, had appealed against the annulment of their marriage by the Kerala High Court. The Hadiya case was then handed over to the National Investigation Agency. The 25-year-old is expected to tell the judges today if she married Mr Jahan a year ago of her own free will.
Here's a complete timeline of events in Hadiya case:
May 2017: Kerala High Court Annuls Hadiya's Marriage
The case came into the limelight after Hadiya's father KM Ashokan contested in Kerala High Court and alleged that Shafin Jahan, whom Hadiya married last year, was trying to recruit her for terror and take her to Syria. On his petition, the marriage was cancelled by the Kerala High Court. Since then, Hadiya has been living at her father's home in Kerala's Kottayam and has been refrained from contacting outsiders without her father's approval.
Her husband appealed against the annulment of their marriage and said it was not 'love jihad' case.
August 2017: Supreme Court Orders NIA Probe in Hadiya CaseAfter asking the Kerala government to produce all the documents related to the Hadiya case, the Supreme Court, on August 16, ordered a probe by the National Investigation Agency.
'Will I Live Like This', Asks Hadiya On Camera
Activist Rahul Easwar met Hadiya at her home and shot a video with her permission. He told NDTV that Hadiya had been living in just a room and one-bathroom for the last three months and was not allowed to go out anywhere. "The girl says she wants to continue and die as a Muslim," Mr Easwar had said.
October 30, 2017: Bring Hadiya Here: Supreme Court To Father In Kerala 'Love Jihad' Case
On October 30, the Supreme Court said that Hadiya's case will be heard on November 27. The apex court had said that since Hadiya was 24 years old, her consent as an adult was "prime" and her version of how and why she married a Muslim man will be heard.
Activist Says It's Not 'Love Jihad' case
Activist Rahul Easwar who had met her in August said that since Hadiya converted first and married a year and a half later, this is not 'love jihad' case.
October 27, 2017: I Am Going To Die, Hadiya Says On Camera
Activist Rahul Easwar released a video to the media where Hadiya is heard pleading. "Get me out of here. Today or tomorrow, I am going to die. I am sure about this. My father is getting angry, I can make out. He pushes me, stamps at me," Hadiya was heard saying in the video recorded in August.
November 6: 'Love Jihad' Case: National Commission For Women Meets Hadiya
National Commission for Women met Hadiya at her home and reported that she was safe and was not subjected to any abuse.
"I just met Akhila or Hadiya as the NCW was concerned about her well-being. She is in good health, is not being beaten up, she is eating, was smiling and is happy," National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma had said.
November 14: Hadiya cannot meet Kerala Women's Commission, says her fatherHadiya's father denied permission to the Kerala Women's Commission to meet Hadiya. The women's body then approached the police to talk to him and explain why he banned the consultation.
November 15, 2017: Husband Approaches Police To Seek Hadiya's Safety
Hadiya's husband Shafin Jahan approached the police to seek Hadiya's safety. He told the media that latest clips show that her health has deteriorated and a train journey to Delhi may take a toll on her health and risk her safety too.
November 21, 2017: Hadiya's Father Tells Supreme Court Hadiya Must Not Testify About Her Marriage In A Public Hearing
Hadiya's father KM Ashokan told the Supreme Court that Hadiya's right to privacy should be maintained and she must not testify about her marriage in a public hearing. He alleged that the case "will turn into a reality show."
Prior to this, Hadiya's husband, Shafin Jahan, was interrogated for six hours by the National Investigation Agency or NIA.
The Kerala Women's Commission said that it was again denied permission to visit meet Hadiya.
November 24, 2017: Married At Free Will, Says Hadiya
Before taking a flight to Delhi from Kochi, Hadiya said that she was not forcefully converted or married to Shafin Jahan. "I married him out of my own will and I want to live with my husband," she said.
November 26, 2017: Hadiya "Does Not Have An Independent Mind", Says Her Father's Lawyer
Hadiya's father argued in court that her testimony cannot be relied upon as she "does not have an independent mind" and has been "brainwashed".
November 27, 2017: Hadiya to Testify in Supreme Court
Hadiya will testify in the Supreme Court today on why and under what circumstances did she marry Shafin Jahan.