Bhopal youth kept away from Hindu wife even after SDM order

But troubles began just four days after the marriage — a police team intercepted Shariq near a shopping complex. ‘‘I was picked up by the police and asked about the whereabouts of my wife. I took the team to my flat, and after questioning Anima, they said we will have to accompany them to the police station for some formality,’’ recalls Shariq. He did not realise that the nightmare had just begun.

While the youth was detained under charges of disturbing peace, Anima was forcibly sent to her Gwalior home. ‘‘I obtained a bail next day and started looking for Anima,’’ says Shariq. On December 1, he approached the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Bhopal, Kamal Nagar, and a search warrant was issued through the Aishbaug police station. Three days later, the police claimed they had visited Gwalior but had not found the girl.

On December 13, another warrant was issued. And this time, it was to be executed by the Gwalior SP. Shariq himself visited Gwalior and asked to be reunited with his wife. ‘‘When I visited the local police there, I was told the matter would be resolved amicably. But nothing happened,’’ Shariq says.

Finally, on January 3, the Gwalior police presented Anima before the SDM. Interestingly, apart from the Gwalior police, at least three inspectors from other police stations were present, though the case did not fall under their jurisdiction. Some Bajrang Dal activists were also spotted.

After two hours of questioning, Anima told the SDM that she was happy with her husband and wanted to go back to him. ‘‘She is a gold medallist in MCA and more than 18 years of age. She gave the statement under oath. That is why I issued the order directing the police to hand over Anima to her husband,’’ the SDM told Express.

But the trauma continued. After coming out of the SDMs office, the local police allegedly dragged Anima away in a waiting vehicle and detained Shariq. ‘‘I was assaulted and the policemen claimed the girl wanted to go to her parents. The Bajrang Dal activists, who had gathered at the office, were putting pressure on the police,’’ Shariq alleged.

Shariq was later taken to Koh-e-Fiza police station and allowed to leave the next day. He, however, refuses to give up. ‘‘I filed another application with the SDM yesterday giving details of the happenings after the order was issued,’’ says Shariq, who also plans to file a writ in the high court.

The police, meanwhile, denies they got any orders to reunite the couple. ‘‘I am just aware of the search warrant which was executed by us. We presented the girl before the SDM on January 3 and have no idea what happened after that,’’ says Gwalior SP Jaydeep Prasad.

Koh-e-Fiza police station in-charge Rajkumar Sharma claims his men had rushed to the SDM office as a large number of Bajrang Dal activists were present there. ‘‘We were there to prevent any law and order problem,’’ he said, adding that the girl wanted to return to her parents. The girl’s family refused to comment when contacted over the phone.