Woman jailed as hubby embraces Islam; man says will fight for her

Shamli/Meerut: A 30-year-old pharmaceutical trader’s conversion to Islam and marriage with a Muslim woman sparked controversy in UP’s Shamli after his pictures offering prayers on Eid were widely circulated, drawing attention of Hindu outfits and prompting a case under the anti-conversion law. His wife and her father have now been arrested. Ayush Malik, who goes by Mohammad Ali after his change of faith, said he embraced Islam “willingly” and will fight for his wife.“Preliminary investigation indicates Ayush came in contact with Chandni Qureshi (his wife) through her brother (Aas Mohammad), who worked at a medical store owned by the Malik family. Ayush’s family has alleged that he was trapped and converted with the intention of grabbing the family’s properties,” SP (Shamli) NP Singh said on Monday.A case was registered at Shamli Kotwali against Chandni, 30, and eight others, including unidentified persons, Singh added.Devraj Malik, a prominent businessman and president of Shamli Medicine Traders’ Association, said, “I knew about my son’s affair and his conversion and was dealing with it privately, trying to convince him to return. But the photographs alerted rightwing groups, which led to the involvement of police.”Refuting the allegations, Ayush told TOI: “I had an inclination towards Islam since childhood and by 2012 my faith strengthened. About four years ago, I converted, and around that period I married Chandni. I kept it under wraps due to the prevailing environment and disclosed it to my parents in Feb. I’m a major and so is my wife. Legally, we’ve full rights to do what we’ve done. I’ll fight for her.”Singh claimed the “police have also found a Pakistan connection”. The officer said, “Ayush accepted, while questioning, that he was under the influence of Pakistan-based preacher late Israr Ahmed and was deeply influenced by his teachings.”Chandni, who earlier worked as a physiotherapist, later started working as Ayush’s gym trainer, police said, adding that “their relationship grew and culminated in ‘nikah’ at a mosque in Delhi with her family’s consent.Following the police complaint, an FIR was registered under BNS sections 318 (4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 336 (3) (forgery for purpose of cheating), 338 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy), 351 (3) (public mischief), 308 (5) (attempt to commit culpable homicide), along with provisions of the stringent UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.