Hadiya case: 7 booked for trespassing for trying to meet her while she’s under house arrest

A trespassing case has been registered against seven people, including six women’s rights activists, who visited Hadiya - the Muslim convert from Kerala's Kottayam district.

Hadiya has been under house arrest since May this year, after the Kerala HC annulled her marriage to a Muslim man.

Trespassing charges were filed against Faisal of Mundakkayam, his wife Shabna and five other women – students, journalists and a filmmaker, who tried to meet Hadiya and held a protest outside her house alleging violation of human rights.

The women protested on Wednesday outside Hadiya’s house in Vaikom after they were denied permission to meet or give her the books and gifts they had brought for her. 

Hadiya’s father Ashokan had reportedly told them that he has been providing her what is required and denied permission.

Their faces covered, the women held  placards that read, "Release Hadiya from house arrest" and "Free Hadiya, We say no to house arrest".

The Times of India reports that a case was earlier registered against Faisal, based on a complaint from local residents who said that he was seen in the area from morning.

The trespassing charges were filed based on a complaint by Asokan.

Hadiya, born Akhila, is a Muslim convert, whose marriage to a Muslim man Shafin Jahan was nullified by the Kerala HC in May this year. 

The court had raised questions regarding Hadiya's conversion and called the marriage a "sham."

Following this, Shafin approached the Supreme Court with a special leave petition. The apex court, earlier this month, ordered an NIA probe into the case.