Karwar The controversy surrounding YouTuber Mukaleppa’ alias Khwaja Mohammed Haneef’s marriage to a Hindu girl allegedly using fake documents has taken a dramatic turn in Uttara Kannada district. The issue has snowballed into a major embarrassment for the government after the Mundagod marriage registrar’s office was found locked and its staff missing, triggering public outrage and further suspicion of wrongdoing.
What began as a personal marriage between Mukaleppa, also known as Khwaja Mohammed Haneef and Gayathri has now exploded into a larger political and social storm. Allegations of document forgery, violation of marriage registration rules, and alleged complicity of government staff have cast a shadow over the entire process, with pro-Hindu organisations and the bride’s mother spearheading protests.
How the violations surfaced
According to the complaint filed, the marriage between Mukaleppa and Gayathri was registered on June 5, the very same day the couple submitted their documents. Not only was the process unusually swift, but the sub-registrar allegedly flouted multiple rules.
Key violations highlighted by complainants include:
• Non-resident registration: Both Mukaleppa and Gayathri are reportedly residents of Hubballi-Dharwad. Rules mandate that at least one of the applicants must be a resident of the jurisdiction where the marriage is registered. Despite this, the Mundagod office processed their marriage.
• Instant registration: The marriage was registered on the very day documents were submitted, June 5, in violation of the stipulated waiting period under the Special Marriage Act.
• Simultaneous property registration: On the same day, a rental house registration document was also processed, raising suspicion of manipulation to create a false local address for the couple.
Sub registrar Hema, who approved the documents, is accused of registering the marriage, bypassing due diligence and checks.
Protests and attack on registrar’s office
On September 22, matters escalated when Gayathri’s mother Shivakka, accompanied by activists of the Sriram Sena, stormed the registrar’s office in Mundagod. Accusing Registrar Hema of fraud, the group confronted her.
Police later registered a case against seven individuals, including Registrar Hema, for their alleged involvement in the violation.
This direct action by the family and activists has turned the case into a flashpoint between the administration and pro-Hindu organizations, with accusations of “love jihad” also being leveled against Mukaleppa.
Registrar’s office locked, staff missing
In the aftermath of the complaint and public outrage, the Mundagod registrar’s office has descended into chaos. On Wednesday, citizens arriving at the office during working hours were shocked to find the doors locked and no staff inside.
The registrar’s office employs four staff members in total. However, none were present, leaving locals frustrated and angry. “Even if the registrar is absent, other staff should be available. Locking an entire government office is unacceptable,” a local resident said.
When questioned, officials claimed Registrar Hema was unwell. But the whereabouts of the remaining staff remain unclear. Citizens have since lodged complaints with the local tahsildar, although the administration has not provided a clear response.
Rising political and social heat
The case has quickly drawn the attention of Hindu leaders. State Sriram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik has announced his plans to visit the Mundagod registrar’s office to inspect records relating to Mukaleppa’s marriage. His visit is expected to spark further protests and increase pressure on government officials.
Activists argue that this case is not merely about one marriage but reflects the systemic rot in the marriage registration process across Karnataka. Allegations of bribery, rule violations, and unchecked powers of registrars are now under the scanner.
Meanwhile, Mukaleppa and Gayathri have strongly denied the allegations. In a video message released online, the couple appealed to the public:
“There is no love jihad. We married for love. Please let us live peacefully.”
However, Gayathri’s mother and the protesting organizations remain unconvinced. They insist the marriage was orchestrated through fraud and are pressing for further legal and administrative action against the registrar and the couple.
