Kerala HC encourages inter-religious marriages, says not all love jihad'

Kochi: “All love marriages should not be termed as 'love-jihad'," observed the Kerala High Court, on Thursday, while hearing a petition with regard to an inter-religious marriage of Kannur-native Sruthi and Anees Hammed.

The court further said that these kind of marriages should be encouraged as there is no boundary for love.

The court allowed Sruthi to go with her husband while ruling the marriage as 'valid'.

It was alleged that Sruthi was abducted by Anees Hameed, who forcefully converted her to Islam and married her under religious customs.

On October 10 while hearing Hadiya's case, the High Court gave the same verdict that 'all inter-religious marriages cannot be termed love jihad'.

Earlier on October 7, the Kerala Government told the Supreme Court that an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was not needed in the case as the state police was efficient enough to carry out the inquiry.

In an affidavit, the state government informed the apex court that the state police is competent enough to investigate such crimes.