A complex and sensitive case involving allegations of ‘Love Jihad’ has emerged from Ashoka Garden area, with a man and his wife accusing each other of coercing religious conversion, sparking a legal and social controversy.
Shekhar Silawat, an engineer from Narmadapuram residing in Chanakyapuri, alleges that his wife concealed her true identity by presenting herself as Shreya, a Hindu woman, on social media around four years ago. According to Shekhar, this deception led him to marry her at the Arya Samaj Mandir under duress, as he claims Nilofar—her real name—threatened to falsely accuse him of rape if he refused the marriage proposal. Recently, Shekhar discovered that Nilofar is Muslim, was previously married, and has three children from her earlier marriage. He further alleged that she is pressuring him to accept her children and convert to Islam, escalating tensions between the couple.
On the other hand, Nilofar, who also goes by the name Shreya, filed a counter-complaint at the police station, asserting that Shekhar was fully aware of her Muslim identity and marital status when they married at the Arya Samaj Mandir. She accused Shekhar of forcing her to convert to his religion and contended that the marriage was consensual from the beginning. Nilofar clarified that she is divorced from her first husband and that her three children reside with their biological father.
The Ashoka Garden police station in-charge, Hemant Srivastava, stated that preliminary investigations and analysis of documents and social media communications suggest that Shekhar knew Nilofar’s true identity. Evidence from chats revealed that he addressed her as Nilofar, contradicting his claims of deception. Furthermore, it emerged during the investigation that Shekhar intended to marry another woman, a development opposed by Nilofar, which may have further complicated their marital discord.
The case has attracted significant public attention amid wider debates over the issue of “Love Jihad,†a term used by some groups alleging forced religious conversions through marriage. However, police maintain that the investigation will be impartial and focused solely on the facts.
Authorities are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses to ascertain the veracity of both parties’ claims. They are also examining legal documents, including the marriage certificate and any conversion-related papers, to determine whether any coercion took place.
Legal experts note that such cases require sensitive handling, given the social and communal ramifications. The police have appealed to the public to avoid speculation and allow the justice system to complete its inquiry.
