Religion ‘biggest hurdle’ in matrimonial alliances, observes Delhi High Court
1 Feb 2014 5:48 AM IST
A Muslim youth, accused of raping a teenaged Hindu girl he married nine years ago after eloping, has got a reprieve from the Delhi High Court, which upheld his acquittal, observing that religion was the ‘biggest hurdle’ in their matrimonial alliance.
Hasim, a hairdresser in south east Delhi, and the 14-year- old schoolgirl were in love with each other and had twice ran away from home to be together.
In 2005, the couple apprehending trouble from their respective families, left for Moradabad after their ‘nikah’ (marriage) in Delhi and applying for registration under the Special Marriage Act.
The duo were traced to Moradabad by the police and brought back to Delhi where a kidnapping and rape case was slapped on Hasim and the girl was married off elsewhere.
A Delhi trial court acquitted Hasim following which police appealed against the verdict in the high court, saying the girl was a minor. Upholding the acquittal, the high court said, ‘This is an unfortunate case where perhaps different religion of the boy and the girl was the biggest hurdle in their way to marry each other.
‘They wanted to marry crossing this hurdle, hence firstly nikah was performed on February 11, 2005 and thereafter notice for intended marriage under the Special Marriage Act was also given. However, destiny had something else in store for them.’
Hasim, a hairdresser in south east Delhi, and the 14-year- old schoolgirl were in love with each other and had twice ran away from home to be together.
In 2005, the couple apprehending trouble from their respective families, left for Moradabad after their ‘nikah’ (marriage) in Delhi and applying for registration under the Special Marriage Act.
The duo were traced to Moradabad by the police and brought back to Delhi where a kidnapping and rape case was slapped on Hasim and the girl was married off elsewhere.
A Delhi trial court acquitted Hasim following which police appealed against the verdict in the high court, saying the girl was a minor. Upholding the acquittal, the high court said, ‘This is an unfortunate case where perhaps different religion of the boy and the girl was the biggest hurdle in their way to marry each other.
‘They wanted to marry crossing this hurdle, hence firstly nikah was performed on February 11, 2005 and thereafter notice for intended marriage under the Special Marriage Act was also given. However, destiny had something else in store for them.’
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