Tortured to change religion, alleges woman national champion

Ranchi, Aug 24: A national rifle shooting woman gold medallist has alleged that she was tortured to change her religion to Islam by a Muslim man who married her on the pretext of being a Hindu.

In her police complaint, Tara Sahdeo said she got married in June to a person named Ranjit Kohli. She said the marriage was solemnised as per Hindu rituals.

However, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when people invited her husband for iftar, she came to know that her husband's name was Rakibul Hussain after it was written on the invitation cards.

She also alleged that Hussain and 20 other people forced her to change her religion. When she refused, she was allegedly beaten up and a dog was made to bite her.

Sahdeo alleged she was threatened with dire consequences if she told anyone about the conversion.

She was kept under close vigil but when Hussain went to New Delhi Aug 19, she sent a message to her family members and was rescued.

Jharkhand Women's Commission chairperson Mahua Manjhi met Sahdeo Saturday and assured her of all help.

"We heard her story and assured to help her. We hope police will investigate the case properly and take the culprit to task," Manjhi said.

The Shiv Sena has threatened a shutdown here Monday if Hussain, who is absconding, is not arrested.

IANS