In a case related to the forced conversion of national shooter Tara Shahdeo, a CBI court has issued the quantum of punishment for the convict and her husband, Raqibul, also known as Ranjit Kohli. Raqibul has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the court. This verdict comes after the court's earlier decision in the case.

In a case presided over by Special CBI Judge Prabhat Kumar Sharma, the sentencing of the offenders was scheduled for October 5th, and subsequently, the trio was remanded to the Birsa Munda Central Jail. Raqib-ul Hasan, also known as Ranjit Kohli, was found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, physical relations under the promise of marriage, causing hurt, wounding religious sentiments, criminal intimidation, and fraudulent marriage ceremony.

The victim, in her accusations, asserted that she had entered into a Hindu-customary marriage with Ranjit Kohli on July 7, 2014. However, soon after their union, he, along with Mustaque Ahmad, who served as the registrar of vigilance at the time, began coercing her to convert to Islam and perform a Nikaah (Islamic marriage).

The CBI assumed control of the investigation in 2015 following an order from the Jharkhand High Court. Subsequently, a case was filed in Delhi. A Ranchi family court granted her a divorce on June 26, 2018, on the grounds of cruelty. The victim lodged a complaint with the court, alleging that her spouse had misrepresented his faith and deceived her into marriage. She also accused him of subjecting her to torture for refusing to embrace Islam.

On August 19, 2014, the victim filed a complaint against Raqib-ul Hasan and his mother at the Hindpidhi police station under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to cruelty by a husband or his family for property and committing criminal acts with common intention. This was after she discovered that her husband was, in fact, a Muslim.

Mustaque Ahmad's name was also mentioned in connection with conspiring to torment and coerce her into conversion. He held the position of former registrar (vigilance) at the Jharkhand High Court.

“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,” revealed her attorney who assisted the national agency in the case.

Kaushar Rani convicted under IPC sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 298 (hurting religious feelings), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). She threatened, "Either change your religion, or partners in your bed will keep changing."

Mustaque Ahmad was convicted under IPC sections 120(B) and 298 for arranging Rakib and Tara's meeting before their marriage and subsequently involving a maulvi for the purported nikah.

“I had full faith in the judiciary. I have got justice after a wait of nine years. Those who harmed me have been convicted. I thank all those who cooperated with me,”

The national shooter conveyed to reporters that her statement was recorded by the CBI under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. During the trial, the prosecution presented 26 witnesses, and their cross-examination spanned over seven months.

Tara Shahdeo endured threats, beatings, and attempts at religious conversion, along with warnings not to apply sindoor. Dowry demands were also made.After a month of suffering; she escaped, hospitalized with cigarette burns. Rakib-ul Hasan admitted to physical assault but denied forcing her to change her religion.

Image source: Times Now