High Court reunites Hindu-Muslim couple

 The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday facilitated the reunion of a Hindu man and a Muslim woman, who were separated by the girl’s father opposing their marriage.

K Shivaraj, a native of  Mysuru and DKS Haleema Shaheen of Mangaluru met each other while studying at a college in Mangaluru and fell in love. After studies, the duo wanted to start a business and had even got their business project sanctioned by the Karnataka Udyog Mitra in 2014. They decided to enter the wedlock. After the girl faced stiff resistance from her parents, the duo eloped and exchanged nuptial vows at a temple in Mysuru in May 2015.

The couple applied for registration under Special Marriage Act, 1954. Haleema’s father replied to the notice saying that his daughter is already married. However, it was later learnt that the marriage certificate produced by her father was fake.

In December, 2015, when the couple were riding on a two-wheeler, unidentified persons attacked Shivaraj, and abducted Haleema.  Shivaraj was treated for injuries at the KR Hospital in Mysuru. He lodged a police complaint at the Lakshmipuram police station and later filed habeas corpus petition before the High Court to produce his wife. 

When the matter was heard before the court, a division bench comprising Justice Mohan M Shantangoudar and Justice KN Phaneendra questioned Haleema as to where she would like to go, she promptly answered that she would want to go with her husband.  Haleema did mention in the court that her father is good, however, some of the associates of her father were harming her and her husband, and that they were living under constant threat to their lives. 

The bench allowed the couple to go back to their house under police protection and disposed of the petition.