Ahmedabad cops search of maulvi behind religious conversions

Karanj police have registered a case of religious conversion against a maulvi, Maulana Mohammad Yusuf Pathan. This is the third such case lodged against the maulvi, who stays at Navtadni Mosque near Gheekanta. In the two previous cases, Yusuf was jailed for 45 days. Later on, he was out on bail and again started religious conversions.  

Karanj police inspector MN Mirza said, “A case of religious conversion has been lodged against Maulana Mohammad Yusuf Pathan by Jagdish Chandra Chauhan whose daughter had eloped with one Moshin Pathan. This is the third such case registered against him. He seems to be a habitual offender and is wanted in the third case. We have launched a search for him.” A kidnapping case has also been registered against Moshin Pathan. Maulvi used to operate his ayurveda hospital from premises of the mosque and sources said no one dared to question his business. He used to charge Rs1,000-Rs2,000 if a Muslim boy got married to a Muslim girl and Rs5,000-Rs10,000 if a Muslim boy married a Hindu girl. In second case, he would also get the girl converted to Islam. 

According to law, religious conversion without the permission of district collector entails a minimum punishment of three years.