High Court allows Hindu woman to go with her Muslim husband

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court today allowed a Hindu woman to go with her Muslim husband after she refused to be persuaded by her parents who objected to the inter-religion marriage.

The order by a division bench comprising Justice Mohinder Pal and Justice R D Kothari came on a habeas corpus petition filed by the parents of the woman Damini Chavda (19) who married Saiyed Irfan Riyazul Husain (21).

In March, Damini had gone missing from the protection home, to which she was sent by a court order, for about three months, about which a complaint was filed in Ellis Bridge police station of the city.

Yesterday, during the scheduled hearing of the case, the High Court directed Irfan to produce the woman before it, following which, Damini appeared today before the High Court and reiterated that she wanted to go with Irfan, which was allowed today.

Damini had in February pleaded before the court to allow her to stay with Irfan but it was refused, after which she had tried to commit suicide by strangulating herself with 'dupatta' inside



the court room, said the High Court order.

Damini, who fell in love with Irfan one year back, had tied the knot with him in December last year. However, as her family did not accept their marriage, her father Babu Chavda had filed a habeas corpus plea before the High Court in January to get her custody.

But during the trial, she had appeared before the division bench headed by justice Ravi Tripathi and requested him to allow her to stay with her husband as they had signed a marriage agreement under Special Marriage Act.

However, the High Court bench in January sent her to Women Protection Home and also directed the police officials to not allow her to meet Irfan as their marriage certificate mentioned husband's name as Akbarali.

"This court is of the opinion Damini Babubhai Chavada, who is under the influence of Irfan is required to be kept out of that for some time and therefore required to be sent to Nari Sarakshan Gruh or Nari Vikas Gruh (protection home for women) till the next date of hearing on January 28," the order said.