Hadiya case: Shafin Jahan moves contempt plea against NIA in SC

Shafin Jahan, the husband of Kerala’s Hindu converted Muslim girl Akhila alias Hadiya has once again approached the Supreme Court with a plea to initiate contempt proceedings against the National Investigation Agency for investigating the case without the supervision of a retired Supreme Court Judge.

Jahan, who is fighting for justice for Hadiya, earlier had approached the apex court against Kerala High Court’s controversial judgment nullifying his marriage with her.

The Supreme Court, in the month of August, had ordered NIA investigation in the case under the supervision of former Supreme Court Judge Justice RV Raveendran. But Justice Raveendran later declined the assignment citing personal reasons.

The Petition alleges that the NIA has begun its investigation and has submitted its reports despite the refusal of Justice R.V. Raveendran to head the probe. Mr. Jahan brings to the notice of the Court the fact that he has been summoned by the NIA and contends that this is in violation of the spirit of the Court’s order directing Justice Raveendran to head the probe.

He then demands “stringent action” against the Agency and contends, “Therefore, since Respondent No.6/Contemnor has already commenced investigation without there being any authorized person overseeing such investigation and has already gone ahead and filed a Status Report, the same goes against the spirit of this Honourable Courts order dated 16.8.2017 and is in clear violation and gross contempt of the same. That such an investigation is clearly not fair and proper and more so is contemptuous and is against the orders and directions of this Hon’ble Court. Moreover NIA seems to be in a hurry to come to a different conclusion than which has been arrived at by IO, Dy. SP of Crime Branch of Kerala Police.”

The Petition further alleges that the reports released by the National Commission for Women (NCW) assessing Hadiya’s current state is “uncalled for”. NCW’s visit to Hadiya’s house has also been termed as one “made with a vested interest and malafide intent to prejudice the present proceedings”.

Meanwhile the NIA team has recorded the statement of Hadiya earlier this week. During the last hearing the Supreme Court directed Hadiya’s father Ashokan to produce her before the Court on November 27.