Justice served in Tara Shahdeo case after 9 years — Know how Organiser exposed the menace of ‘Love Jihad’ in 2014

For decades, Organiser has been dedicated to serving Bharat. At a time when much of the media claimed to be ‘secular’ and ‘liberal,’ distancing themselves from stories impacting Hindu lives, Organiser boldly shed light on those cases. We also reported a pattern of crime where fraudsters preyed on Hindu girls and women for conversion. One of these victims, featured on our magazine covers, has finally received justice after a painstaking nine-year wait. Tara Shahdeo, a name that resonated nationwide, was a victim of what is commonly referred to as ‘Love Jihad’—a term once dismissed as a mere fabrication. However, with hundreds of documented cases, this term has now gained some recognition.

Readers should know that, on October 5, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court handed down sentences to the convicts found guilty in the Tara Shahdeo religious conversion case. Rakib-ul Hasan, Tara Shahdeo’s former husband, was sentenced to life imprisonment, while his mother Kaushar Rani received a ten-year prison term. Additionally, Mustaque Ahmed, the former registrar of the High Court who was accused of conspiracy, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Before moving ahead here’s the cover story and the editorial published at Organiser Weekly in its volume (number 66) dated September 7, 2014.

Tara Shahdeo, a national shooter, faced immense pressure to convert her religion from her ex-husband Rakib-ul Hasan, also known as Ranjit Kohli, after their marriage in 2014. In 2017, the CBI filed a charge sheet in the case.

Justice served after 9 years!

Following the judgement, addressing the media on October 5, Tara emphasized that no woman should endure assault or coercion to change her faith. She expressed gratitude towards the court and the CBI for delivering justice, emphasizing that this verdict holds significance not only for her but for every daughter in the country. She hoped it would instil confidence that those who engage in such behaviour will face consequences. She also noted how, initially, her struggle was labelled as domestic violence, but her goal was to prevent any girl from going through a similar ordeal. She acknowledged that people were initially hesitant to discuss the issue openly, but with this judgment, she believed they would be more willing to confront it.

“I want to thank the court and the CBI who served me justice. This justice is not just for me, every daughter in the country will gain trust that whoever does this to them will be punished. People who do this would be afraid to not treat someone like this. When my fight started, it was labelled as domestic violence. But my efforts were that this should not happen with any girl. People were hesitant to speak that word. After this judgment, they would come up against it openly,” she said.

Meanwhile the lawyer of convicted Rasqibul Hasan, Mukhtar Ahmed also confirmed the development and said, “There are three accused in this case. Ranjeet Singh Kohli, Mushtaq Ahmed and Kaushar Rani. Kaushar Rani has been punished for 10 years under section 376 with 120 B. Mushtaq Ahmed has been punished for 15 years and Ranjeet Singh Kohli has life imprisonment till death in custody.”

He also added that he would apply to the High Court seeking relief from the punishment. “We will appeal against that order before the High Court and certainly, we will get a relief from there… This is a matter of family dispute, it is not a big issue. It is not a big issue, he is a first offender, and they are a respectable person in the society. We don’t think there is anything serious against these people. We will go to the High Court,” he was quoted as saying.

The CBI court’s announcement of the verdict comes shortly after it convicted the three main accused in the Tara Sahadeo conversion case: her ex-husband Rakib-ul Hasan, her mother-in-law Kaushar Rani, and Mustaque Ahmad. The judgment, delivered on September 30, pertains to the case filed by the national-level shooter against her estranged husband, mother-in-law, and another individual. They were accused of subjecting her to numerous atrocities and forcibly attempting to convert her to Islam.

Rakib-ul Hasan was found culpable under sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 376 (2) (n) (physical relation on the promise of marriage), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 298 (wounding religious sentiments), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 496 (fraudulent marriage ceremony) of the Indian Penal Code.

Tara Shahdeo ‘Love Jihad’ Case

In 2014, Tara Shahdeo, a national-level shooter, married Rakib-ul Hasan on July 7, following Hindu customs. Unbeknownst to her, Rakib-ul Hasan was masquerading as Ranjit Kohli, deceiving her. Just one day into their marriage, Rakib-ul Hasan, along with Mustaque Ahmad, who held the position of registrar of vigilance at the time, began pressuring Tara to convert to Islam and undergo a Nikaah (Islamic marriage).

Upon discovering her husband’s true faith, Tara filed a complaint on August 19, 2014, against Rakib-ul Hasan and his mother at the Hindpidhi police station, citing sections 498A (cruelty by husband or his family for property) and 34 (criminal act involving two or more persons with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. She asserted that Rakib-ul Hasan had misrepresented his religion and coerced her into marriage. Tara also accused him of subjecting her to torment for her refusal to convert.

Mustaque Ahmad was implicated in conspiring with the other two to force Tara’s conversion. He held the previous position of Jharkhand High Court registrar (vigilance).

Tara’s attorney, who aided the national agency in the case, disclosed, “Rakib convinced Tara to marry him by pretending to be a Hindu. After the solemnization of the marriage, he tried to forcibly convert her for a nikah ceremony. When she refused, Tara was confined to her home and subjected to atrocities for several days. The police eventually rescued her.”

Meanwhile, Kaushar Rani threatened Tara, warning her that if she did not convert to Islam, her partners would constantly change. Tara was sternly admonished not to apply sindoor (vermilion) or face the threat of her hands being broken. Numerous Muslim clerics were brought in to facilitate her conversion. When she resisted, she endured severe beatings. She was even threatened with harm to both herself and her family if she divulged the torture she endured. Additionally, the perpetrators made dowry demands.

This oppression persisted for a month before Tara summoned the strength to break free. Her body bore cigarette burns, and she required hospitalization after being rescued. Rakib-ul Hasan admitted to physically assaulting her but denied forcing her to change her religion.

In 2015, the CBI took over the investigation following a decision by the Jharkhand High Court, and a case was filed in Delhi. Tara’s statement was recorded under section 164 (which allows a Magistrate to record a person’s statement or confession) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The prosecution presented 26 witnesses in court, with their cross-examination spanning over seven months.

In 2017, the CBI filed a chargesheet in the case, wherein Tara was allegedly pressured by her husband to convert her religion.

Based on cruelty grounds, a Ranchi family court granted Tara a divorce on June 26, 2018.

In 2019, a CBI court in Ranchi framed charges against Raqibul Hassan alias Ranjit Kohli for allegedly providing false information about his religion when marrying national-level air rifle shooter Tara Shahdeo, which eventually led to their divorce. The court also framed charges against four others for allegedly aiding Hassan.

Finally, after nine years of legal battles, on September 30, 2023, the court convicted Tara’s husband, Ranjit Kohli alias Raqibul Hasan, his mother Kaushar Rani, and Mushtaq Ahmed. Today, the court has pronounced the sentences for the accused.

Following the conviction, Tara stated, “I had full faith in the judiciary. I have received justice after a nine-year wait. Those who harmed me have been convicted. I thank all those who supported me.”