Hyderabad:
Cricketer Shoaib Malik, currently in Hyderabad, has been asked not to leave the country, confirm sources in the Hyderabad Police to NDTV. Malik has reportedly handed over his passport to the police after his alleged first wife filed a police case against him. (Read: Hyderabad police question Shoaib Malik)
Police sources say the case has been transferred to the central crime station, and the investigation is being handled by an experienced officer. The police's stand is that "Shoaib's arrest is not a priority for us, we have to investigate the case first."
Meanwhile, Ayesha told police that Shoaib threatened to eliminate her. Ayesha also said that Shoaib even offered me money to keep quiet. Police have left after questioning Ayesha Siddiqui.
The Pakistani cricketer was questioned by the police on Monday morning at the Hyderabad home of his fiancée, tennis star Sania Mirza. Malik has been staying at Sania's house in Banjara Hills since he arrived in the city on Saturday. Mirza and Malik's wedding is scheduled for April 15 in Hyderabad. (Read: Will get married to Sania on April 15: Shoaib Malik)
The surprise engagement and wedding announcement has been overshadowed by allegations that the cricketer is already married to Ayesha Siddiqui, who is also from Hyderabad. (Read: Ayesha's father files FIR against Shoaib Malik)
Siddiqui's family has accused Malik of criminal intimidation (to pressure Siddiqui to not reveal her alleged marriage to him), cheating a married woman (by getting engaged to Mirza), and of dowry harassment in a police case filed locally. In turn, the cricketer claims that he was tricked into marrying Ayesha, who he claims he has never met. (Read: Shoaib says 'nikah' with Ayesha invalid)
"We are trying to collect evidence. Shoaib is cooperating and Sania is supporting him. They say they know the truth behind the whole issue," a police official said after the team talked to the cricketer for one-and-a-half hours. (In Pics: Shoaib, Sania set for mixed doubles)
During questioning, Shoaib allegedly told the police that he had been "cheated" by the Siddiqui family and tricked into marriage, he said.
The Pakistani cricketer had on Sunday claimed that he was emotionally forced into the 'nikahnama' with the Hyderabad girl but said the marriage was invalid as her family had cheated him and ruled out divorce.
He said to this day he has not met the girl whose photographs were sent to him by the Siddiqui family purported to be that of Ayesha.
Ayesha's father in his complaint, which was lodged hours after Shoaib on Sunday confirmed his marriage with Sania, had accused the Pakistani cricketer of cheating his daughter.
Police Commissioner AK Khan said an FIR has been made out and it would be followed by collection of evidence and taking legal advice since Shoaib is a Pakistani national. (Read: Shoaib can't leave without our permission: Hyderabad top cop)
"The Banjara Hills police have received a complaint by Ayesha Siddiqui against Shoaib Malik. We have registered a case against Shoaib. Now we will take legal opinion quickly before taking further action," Additional Commissioner of Police (Co-ordination), Dwarka Thirumala Rao said.
He said there were some legal complications involved in the case and they "will have to examine whether a foreigner committing an offence on a foreign soil comes under the purview of Indian Penal Code or not".
"The legal opinion will be taken quickly and we will proceed further as the marriage is on April 15," he added. (With PTI inputs)
Also See:
Bring your bride home, Afridi tells Malik
Police sources say the case has been transferred to the central crime station, and the investigation is being handled by an experienced officer. The police's stand is that "Shoaib's arrest is not a priority for us, we have to investigate the case first."
Meanwhile, Ayesha told police that Shoaib threatened to eliminate her. Ayesha also said that Shoaib even offered me money to keep quiet. Police have left after questioning Ayesha Siddiqui.
The Pakistani cricketer was questioned by the police on Monday morning at the Hyderabad home of his fiancée, tennis star Sania Mirza. Malik has been staying at Sania's house in Banjara Hills since he arrived in the city on Saturday. Mirza and Malik's wedding is scheduled for April 15 in Hyderabad. (Read: Will get married to Sania on April 15: Shoaib Malik)
The surprise engagement and wedding announcement has been overshadowed by allegations that the cricketer is already married to Ayesha Siddiqui, who is also from Hyderabad. (Read: Ayesha's father files FIR against Shoaib Malik)
Siddiqui's family has accused Malik of criminal intimidation (to pressure Siddiqui to not reveal her alleged marriage to him), cheating a married woman (by getting engaged to Mirza), and of dowry harassment in a police case filed locally. In turn, the cricketer claims that he was tricked into marrying Ayesha, who he claims he has never met. (Read: Shoaib says 'nikah' with Ayesha invalid)
"We are trying to collect evidence. Shoaib is cooperating and Sania is supporting him. They say they know the truth behind the whole issue," a police official said after the team talked to the cricketer for one-and-a-half hours. (In Pics: Shoaib, Sania set for mixed doubles)
During questioning, Shoaib allegedly told the police that he had been "cheated" by the Siddiqui family and tricked into marriage, he said.
The Pakistani cricketer had on Sunday claimed that he was emotionally forced into the 'nikahnama' with the Hyderabad girl but said the marriage was invalid as her family had cheated him and ruled out divorce.
He said to this day he has not met the girl whose photographs were sent to him by the Siddiqui family purported to be that of Ayesha.
Ayesha's father in his complaint, which was lodged hours after Shoaib on Sunday confirmed his marriage with Sania, had accused the Pakistani cricketer of cheating his daughter.
Police Commissioner AK Khan said an FIR has been made out and it would be followed by collection of evidence and taking legal advice since Shoaib is a Pakistani national. (Read: Shoaib can't leave without our permission: Hyderabad top cop)
"The Banjara Hills police have received a complaint by Ayesha Siddiqui against Shoaib Malik. We have registered a case against Shoaib. Now we will take legal opinion quickly before taking further action," Additional Commissioner of Police (Co-ordination), Dwarka Thirumala Rao said.
He said there were some legal complications involved in the case and they "will have to examine whether a foreigner committing an offence on a foreign soil comes under the purview of Indian Penal Code or not".
"The legal opinion will be taken quickly and we will proceed further as the marriage is on April 15," he added. (With PTI inputs)
Also See:
Bring your bride home, Afridi tells Malik
