Tara Shahdeo, a national-level shooter from Jharkhand, India, has finally got her justice after seven years of struggle. A special court in Ranchi has sentenced her former husband Raqibul Hasan Khan alias Ranjit Kumar Kohli and his mother Kaushal Rani to life imprisonment and 10 years respectively for forcing her to convert to Islam after their marriage in 2014.
The court found Raqibul and his mother guilty of various charges, including cheating, criminal conspiracy, rape, wrongful confinement, assault, and violation of the Jharkhand Freedom of Religion Act. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 21.6 lakh on Raqibul and Rs 1.5 lakh on his mother.
Tara Shahdeo had filed a complaint against Raqibul and his mother in August 2014, alleging that they had deceived her into marrying him by hiding his religion. She claimed that after the marriage, she was tortured and pressurized to adopt Islam. She also accused them of branding her with hot iron rods and beating her up when she refused to comply.
Tara Shahdeo had a dream wedding with Ranjit Kumar Kohli, a fellow shooter, on July 7, 2014 at a five-star hotel in Ranchi. According to Tara, she had no idea that he was actually Raqibul Hasan Khan, a Muslim man who had concealed his identity and religion from her.
She discovered the truth the next day, when she saw him performing namaz and wearing a skull cap. He then asked her to change her name to Sara and convert to Islam, according to Tara.
Later, some how Tara Shahdeo managed to escape from Raqibul’s house with the help of her family and approached the police. She also sought protection from the court, as she feared for her life. According to her, Raqibul had connections with powerful politicians and criminals, who threatened to harm her and her family.
The case was initially handled by the state police, but later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2015 on the direction of the Jharkhand High Court. The CBI filed a charge sheet against Raqibul, his mother, and three others in 2017. The trial began in 2018 and concluded in March 2021.
The court pronounced its verdict on October 6, 2021, after hearing the arguments of both sides and examining the evidence and witnesses. The court said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the accused had committed a heinous crime against the victim’s dignity and faith.
Tara Shahdeo expressed her satisfaction and relief over the judgment and thanked the court, the CBI, and the people who supported her. She hoped that her case would inspire other women who face similar situations to fight for their rights and justice. She also said that she would resume her shooting career and represent India at international events.
