New Delhi: A private lab in Bijnor has confirmed that the 22-year-old woman, who was sent to a shelter home pursuant to a report by a Bajrang Dal unit to the Uttar Pradesh police about an alleged instance of ‘love jihad’ made punishable under the recently promulgated anti-conversion ordinance in the state, had a miscarriage.
Her mother-in-law claimed that the miscarriage was a result of torture inflicted on her at the shelter home.
“We found that the woman had had a miscarriage. There is an infection in her uterus, which should be treated to avoid further complications,” Dr P.S. Sisodia, who had performed the woman’s ultrasound at a registered private lab in Bijnor’s Dhampur had told the Times of India.
The woman had alleged that the district hospital administered “injections” because of which she lost her baby. The hospital denied the allegation and refused to comment.
After the release of results from the private lab, the hospital authorities claimed that the foetus wasn’t alive.
Acting chief medical superintendent of the Moradabad district hospital Dr Nirmala Pathak told TOI, “The reports provided by ultrasonologist Dr RP Mishra clearly said the foetus was visible but heartbeat was not there.”
“We were doubtful about the baby when the first ultrasound was performed. The heartbeat was not found. For the second test, we used a Doppler ultrasound but the heartbeat could not be found then either. For confirmation, I had asked for a trans vaginal scan because sometimes there are chances that the baby survives,” she added.
The chairperson of UP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had previously stated that the foetus was alive, but could not be reached for comment out after the results of the private lab were released.
Also read: ‘Love Jihad’ Arrest: Bride Sticks to Miscarriage Claim; ‘Foetus Fine,’ Says Govt Hospital Doctor
The woman’s husband and brother-in-law were also arrested and kept in jail for 13 days until the police concluded that there was no evidence to support the allegation of forceful conversion.
Her husband had not been released till Friday evening, an official at the Moradabad jail disclosed to TOI on the condition of anonymity.
Police later filed a report under Section 169 of the CrPC (release of accused when evidence is deficient) before the district court. “The court ordered their release on personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each,” Moradabad ASP (rural) Vidya Sagar Mishra said on Friday.
“I have been told for the past five days that he will be released. He’s not out yet. I have not been able to speak to him even after losing my baby,” the woman told TOI. “We love each other. What is the point of court-registered marriages if things like these happen to people in love?” she added.
The recently-promulgated Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance nullifies marriages if they are carried out for the sole purpose of religious conversion. The state government had on November 24 approved the draft ordinance, which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years for violators.
It was promulgated amid assertions by BJP leaders that a strict law was needed against “love jihad”, a term coined by right-wing activists to discredit interfaith marriages by describing it as part of an alleged conspiracy by Muslim men to convert Hindu women in the guise of love.
The Allahabad high court had asked the state government on Friday to respond to a petition challenging the law.
(With inputs from PTI)