Crime Patrol: Muslim child raised by a hindu at Lucknow (U.P.) (Episode 69, 70 on 23, 24 Dec 2011)

PART 1

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The Inside Story

Secular Love: A Bond Transcending Religion

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh - On August 14, 2011, the heartwarming tale of Aiku Lal Sandil, a tea vendor from Baradari, took the nation by storm. Fourteen-year-old Akbar, caught between the disapproval of his Hindu guardian and the custody of his Muslim mother, had found himself at the center of a legal battle. However, for Sandil, the decision to take in Akbar was instinctive. Having been raised by a compassionate Muslim man himself, Sandil couldn't turn a blind eye when he stumbled upon the lost six-year-old boy in a Lucknow park eight years prior.

"I am a Hindu who was brought up by a kind Muslim man. When I found Akbar, it felt like a divine sign, urging me to reciprocate the love and care I received from the people around me. Religion was never forced upon me, and with the education I gained from my guardian, it became my duty to nurture the child in accordance with his own faith," Sandil shared with conviction.

The unique bond between Sandil and Akbar was acknowledged by the Allahabad High Court in January 2008 when it dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by Akbar's biological mother, Shahnaz Begum. Despite her argument that Sandil raising Akbar would disrupt societal harmony due to their different religions, the court asserted that India is a secular country where caste and creed should not be allowed to dictate relationships. Justice Barkat Ali Zaidi stated, "...If there can be inter-caste marriages... there can also be an inter-caste 'father and son' relationship and that need not raise eyebrows."

Shahnaz has since moved the case to the Supreme Court, with the court requesting her to provide details of her income, property ownership, and her other two children's school information. The high court found it peculiar that Shahnaz approached them in 2007, four years after Akbar's disappearance, without having filed a police report during that period.

A Serendipitous Encounter and an Unbreakable Bond

The encounter that changed the course of Akbar's life occurred when Sandil's neighbor, Kushmavati Devi, noticed the lost six-year-old playing with her children in a park adjacent to Baradari. As the evening grew colder, Akbar began crying. He revealed his name and shared that his father had gone to fetch food, mentioning he resided in Pan Dariba. Sensing the urgency, Kushmavati handed Akbar over to Sandil, recounting the fateful incident.

With five children of her own, Kushmavati became a foster parent to Akbar, providing him with a nurturing environment. It was at her house that he frequently shared meals and found solace.

Recalling the condition in which he found Akbar, Sandil revealed the child suffered from liver problems, weak limbs, and an infected foot that impeded his mobility. Determined to provide the best care, Sandil took Akbar to doctors, massaged his limbs with medicated ointments, and even traveled to Etaunja to seek treatment when Akbar broke his hand.

Sandil's own upbringing had been shaped by Chaudhary Mujtaba Hussain, a member of the governing body overseeing the renowned Baradari monument. Sandil's respect and gratitude towards Hussain were evident as he reminisced, "I have witnessed Aiku living with my father ever since I was a child," according to Chaudhary Hasan Imam, Hussain's son.

An Educational Journey and Unwavering Dedication

Despite Sandil's modest income, he prioritized Akbar's education, determined to prevent him from experiencing the same lack of formal schooling he had endured. Akbar initially attended Prathamic Vidhyalaya in Qaiser Bagh Refugee Camp, later transitioning to Queens Inter College, and most recently Mumtaz Inter College in Aminabad, where classes are more regular. Sandil also arranged a daily one-hour tuition session in a nearby area, contributing Rs 100 each month to support Akbar's education.

Sandil's commitment to Akbar's holistic development extended beyond academics. Every Friday, he ensured that Akbar attended the local masjid to offer prayers, demonstrating the inclusive values he had imbibed.

While Sandil has pledged to comply with the Supreme Court's decision if Akbar is to be returned to his parents, he remains firm in his conviction that he will not leave the child crying with his mother if it goes against Akbar's own wishes. The profound love and unwavering bond shared by Sandil and Akbar serve as a poignant testament to the fact that love knows no religious boundaries.

More Episode Links:
Crime Patrol | Muslim child raised by a Hindu man, Story of Aikulal Sandil and Akbar (Episode 69, 70 on 23, 24 Dec 2011)

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Muslim child raised by a hindu at Lucknow (U.P.)
Akbar prefers Hindu guardian to Muslim mother

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