SHC directs police to provide protection to Muslim convert

She had sought direction for police to not arrest her husband in alleged kidnapping case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the police authorities to provide protection to a girl, who is allegedly facing threats from her Hindu family.

The girl had approached the high court, seeking direction for police authorities to not arrest her husband in the case regarding her alleged kidnapping lodged by her family in Hyderabad district.



The petitioner, Fatima, with her husband, Muhammad Riaz, had named the Karachi and Hyderabad police authorities, as well as her family members, as respondents in the petition. The judges were informed that the petitioner Fatima, whose Hindu name is Kiran Oadh, hailed from Hyderabad district, where she fell in love with Riaz. The girl said that she converted to Islam out of her own free will and was given the Muslim name, Fatima. She said that later she solemnised a freewill marriage in court of law with Riaz without any pressure or force.

The court was informed that this infuriated the girl's family, who had registered a case regarding her kidnapping in Hyderabad and the police were now out to arrest her husband. Fatima feared that her family members may kill her and her husband in the name of honour by declaring them 'karo' and 'kari'.



The court was pleaded, therefore, to order the police authorities to provide them protection. The court was also requested to restrain the police from arresting Fatima's husband in connection with the allegedly false case of her kidnapping. After initial hearing, the two-judge bench issued notices to the Hyderabad DIG and the girl's father, Kheemoo Oadh, to file their comments by April 29. Meanwhile, senior police officials were ordered to provide protection to the couple till the next date of hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2016.