The Supreme Court has directed the National Investigation Agency to access the report of Kerala Police's investigation in the Hadiya love jihad case.

The matter pertains to the conversion and marriage of 24-year-old Hindu woman Akhila alias Hadiya to a Muslim man by the name Shafeen Jahan, a native of Kollam.

The division bench of Kerala High Court had annulled the marriage and sent the woman back to the custody of her parents. The marriage was annulled on the grounds that the bride's parents were "neither present nor had they given their consent" for the marriage. The high court had also asked to investigate whether there were organised or systematic love jihad campaigns in the state. Kerala HC suspected that ISIS was recruiting from the state.

The husband of the woman had moved the Supreme Court against the High Court ruling. In the last hearing, the court had sought the NIA's response. The agency on Thursday mentioned the matter and argued that it needed permission from Supreme Court to access the records. The court granted NIA permission and asked the husband why he was objecting to the sharing of the records.

NIA REPORT CRUCIAL FOR A FAIR PROBE: SUPREME COURT

The top court observed, "The NIA's report is essential for a free and fair investigation into the matter."

The bench led by Chief Justice of India J.S Khehar also noted in its order, "It seems that the petitioner husband does not desire a correct and fair investigation", clearly irked by the objection of the petitioner to not share the records. The court further asked him if he doubted the National Investigation Agency.

The court also clarified that its verdicts were not guided by catchphrases like 'love jihad'. "We are only seeking a factual investigation. We need to determine whether it is an isolated matter or there is something more to it", said Justice Chandrachud on the bench.

The court will hear the matter on August 16.

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