Kochi: The state police on Monday informed the Ernakulam District Sessions Court that Mumbai natives Arshi Qureshi and his aide Rizwan Khan had forcibly converted the Kochi girl, Merin, for taking part in the activities of Islamic State. The evidence was collected to prove the conversion from Mumbai, including the passports and bank account details. The duo was brought to Kochi on Sunday in connection with a case of forcible religious conversion after the victim's brother complained.
The duo, suspected to have IS links, was flown to the Nedumbassery airport in a special chartered aircraft under tight security cover by 12.30 noon and taken to the Kalamassery AR camp. The Kochi city police had registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Qureshi along with Palakkad-native Yahiya alias Bestin Vincent. This after Ebin Jacob, 25, brother of Merin who is missing along with her husband Yahia, gave a statement before the police that the duo forced him to get converted to Islam and join the terrorist organization.
The police sought the custody of the accused for 30 days. The court adjourned the case as the custody period is set to expire only on August 8. Police can get custody of the accused for 30 days since the offence comes under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Since UAPA has been charged against them, the probe should be conducted in other countries. The mobile phones of the accused should be sent to forensic analysis, the police said.
