UP court sentences man to life imprisonment, citing ‘love jihad’
Women had retracted statement alleging pressure from right wing groups during trial
Bareilly: A fast-track court in Bareilly has sentenced a 25-year-old Muslim man, Mohd Aalim Ahmad, to life imprisonment, calling his case an example of ‘love jihad’ despite the woman retracting her statement and alleging pressure from right-wing groups.
In his 42-page order, Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar elaborated on the concept of ‘love jihad,’ asserting that such cases involve “deceit and religious conversion” and are often funded by foreign sources. The judge noted that the accused had deceived the woman by initially introducing himself as Anand Kumar when they met at a coaching class in 2022. They were married in a temple on March 13, 2022, but the woman later discovered his real identity and claimed she was misled.
Aalim was charged under multiple sections, including s. 376-2n (rape), s. 506 (criminal intimidation), and s. 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC. His father, Mohd Sabir, was also sentenced to two years in jail under s. 504 (criminal intimidation).
The woman, who had given a statement against Aalim on July 31, 2024, later changed her position during a court appearance on September 19, stating, “I registered the FIR after right-wing groups pressured my parents.” However, the court did not accept her retraction, believing it was influenced by the accused.
The judge, who previously ordered a videographic survey of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque complex, stated, “The primary aim of ‘love jihad’ is to alter demographics and stir international tensions, driven by radical factions within a religious group. It involves significant financial resources, and in this case, it is likely that foreign funding is involved.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ban is not shocking, if I join BJP my ban will be lifted: Bajrang on NADA suspension
New Delhi (PTI): Suspended for four years due to his "refusal" to provide sample for dope test, Olympic medallist Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Wednesday said it was a vindictive move by the government which would quash the ban if he joins the BJP.
NADA said Bajrang violated the rules by refusing to give sample during selection trials for the national team on March 10.
The anti-doping body had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the sport's world governing body UWW had also slapped him with a suspension.
"It is not shocking because this issue about trial has been going on for last one year. I have said in the past too that I have not refused to give sample to NADA. When they visited my home to conduct the dope test, they came with an expiry kit (in December, 2023). I have also posted this on social media," Barjrang told reporters.
Punia, along with fellow wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat, have joined the Congress Party earlier this year.
Bajrang added in his defence, "You can't give expiry kit to any player and as far as I am concerned, my team was there, so they saw it. They came carrying expiry kits dated 2020, 2021, 2022.
"I gave my urine sample but then my team checked the kit and found out that it was expired. So we made a video of the kit and we mailed NADA, called them to inform about the mistake. But they did not accept their mistake."
The wrestler alleged that the government is looking to get back at them for their involvement in the long-drawn sit-in protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP politician.
"I also feel that because of our protest in support of the women wrestlers, they are trying to exact revenge because all the agencies are fall under the purview of the government.
"I have been competing for the last 10-12 years and I have given sample during all tournaments, during the India camps. But the government's motive is to break us, make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP then I think all my bans will be lifted," Bajrang claimed.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling or apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to, till April 22, 2028.
