Palanpur: The small town of Vadali in Sabarkantha is observing bandh for last three days over a serious case of Love Jihad in which a 32-year-old married Muslim man has eloped with a Jain woman 10 years younger to him. In a new development, the local police has traced and detained both the accused and a girl from neighbouring state Maharshtra.

According to police, the tension erupted after driver Shahir Mansuri, father of with two kids, eloped and married Riya Mehta early this week. Riya, who belongs to the Jain community, was scheduled to marry later this year. The villagers came to know of their marriage after the couple sent proof of their marriage like a marriage certificate and photographs to their parents.

The couple was traced to Maharashtra. Even the members of minority community were cooperating in search. Muslims have also shut their shops(footwear, mobile, novelty item shops) in Vadali after attack by a 500-strong mob in which Rs 5 lakh loss was witnessed.

The marriage certificate of the couple which is circulated by them has turned out to be fake. The certificate was allegedly issued by Mau panchayat. According to Bhiloda police, report in this regard has been sought from TDO. If irregularity is found, Talati will face action.

Meanwhile, police has detained one Samir SK who passed offending comments on social media over this issue which could further add to communal tension.

DeshGujarat