UP: Suffered Miscarriage Due to Negligence, Says Woman Whose Husband Arrested in ‘Love Jihad’ Case

After her husband and brother-in-law were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police earlier in December in an alleged case of ‘love jihad’, the 22-year-old woman from Moradabad, who was sent to a protection home following their arrests, has said that she was tortured at the facility and alleged that she suffered a miscarriage due to medical negligence.

According to an India Today report, the woman has said that her worsening condition was initially ignored at Nari Niketan – the protection home – and she suffered a miscarriage after she was taken to a hospital.

“I was at Nari Niketan for five-six days during which I started experiencing stomach ache. They (Nari Niketan staff) ignored my stomach pain and when the condition didn't improve, I was taken to a hospital where doctors gave me medicines and injections due to which I suffered a miscarriage,” she was quoted saying.

She added that the warden at Nari Niketan scolded her when she complained about her health and did not arrange for the required medicines. “The doctors knew about my miscarriage. An ultrasound check-up was also done. Initially, they said that the foetus is fine. Then they administered an injection following which my health deteriorated. I started bleeding and my condition turned quite serious,” she was quoted saying.

“She was given medicines to stop bleeding & pain. Ultrasound showed foetus but no heartbeat. TVS (transvaginal ultrasound) was advised & she was referred to Meerut. Her relatives wanted to take her in their pvt vehicle. Allegations are false (sic),” the Medical Superintendent at the District Hospital told ANI.

The story first made headlines when a video of Bajrang Dal members, harassing the woman in question, was circulated on social media. “Show us the permission you have from the DM (District Magistrate) to convert your religion,” one of the members of the right-wing group is heard telling the woman, even as a couple of policemen looked on.

The Hindu woman and her husband, a 21-year-old Muslim man, were on their way to get their marriage registered in the nagar palika parishad of Kanth in Moradabad on December 5. They had been married on July 24 this year.

According to an NDTV report, the men (the groom and his brother) were handed over to the police by members of the Bajrang Dal after being confronted at the marriage registration office. The police told the media that a complaint had been filed by the woman’s mother, who said that she had been tricked into marriage and conversion. It is unclear whether the woman had converted or not.

The arrested duo were booked under Section 3 of the recently-implemented Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020, which deals with forced conversion. The men could end up facing between one and five years in prison if the charges against them hold up in court. All the cases under the ordinance are non-bailable in nature.

Meanwhile, the family of those arrested have lost both their bread-winners. With their youngest son still a teenager, their parents are struggling to make both ends meet, with even their power supply snapped after they could not pay the bill. “I have four daughters and three sons. Two are in jail. We are extremely poor. There is nothing to eat at home,” their 45-year-old mother told The Times of India.