Bhubaneswar: In a landmark verdict by an Indore court, a 10-year jail term has been awarded for forced conversion and child identity theft.
The verdict has been termed as a win for child rights in teh country.
As per senior cousel Ajit Shinde, “The verdict isn’t just about punishment. It’s about restoring dignity to a child whose identity was erased.”
CASE BACKGROUND
The case details show that the victim has been a 3-year old Jain boy who was forcibly converted by accused Illyas Ahmed, Mohmd Zafar Ali and Prarthan Shivhare (the biological mother of the child).
The case was taken to the court by the kid’s father Mahesh Nahata. The father had a 5-year struggle to trace his son. He traced his son in Khajrana in the year 2023.
The accused have made fraudlent alteration of birth certificate of the child. Besdes, they have made alterations in school records, Aadhar Card.
Also the child has been underwent with forced circumcision.
COURT SENTENCE
While the court has sentenced the biological mother of the 3-year old kid for her collusion in erasing the child’s Jain identity, the other accused have been sentenced for falsifying the school admission forms, birth certificates, guardian documents and the Aadhar card.
The court has tried the case under the MP Freedom of Religion Ordinance 2020. As per Section 5 of the MP act, individuals or organisations found guilty of forced conversion will be sentenced with 10+ years of rigorous jail term.
The prosecution won the case by relying on documentary evidences (like the forgery done in Aadhar card) and witness testimonies.
Besides the forced conversion factor, the court delivered the sentence also for perpetuating forgery and fraud.
The Court took strict stance against forced religious conversion without consent of the child.
Legal experts hail the judgement a landmark precedent for safeguarding minors from Identity theft and coercion.
Sentencing a 10-year rigorous jail term to the accused under IPC 420 (cheating), 467(forgery), 468(forging electronic document), 471 (using of forged documents) and MP Freedom of Religion Ordinance 2020, the court validated the biological father’s rights as the sole guardian.
As per senior advocate Ajit Shinde, the Indore court has prioritised child welfare and parental rights.
