Meera granted bail in theft case

Meera,who has worked in two Indian movies,has been accused of stealing furniture and other valuables from the house of Atiqur Rehman,who claims to be her husband.

After she was granted bail,a relieved Meera told reporters outside the court that Rehman had registered a “fake” case against her and her family as part of a conspiracy to defame her.

She claimed she was being blackmailed by Rehman,who had allegedly extorted Rs 4 lakh from her.

Meera also alleged that Rehman and Indian film director Faisal Saif were threatening to kill her and that she had sought protection from police. “How could I marry this man (Rehman)? How can I put my career of 13 years at stake?” she asked.

Referring to Faisal Saif’s alleged role in the controversy,Meera said she had video footage and pictures to prove her claim. “Saif is behind this controversy over my marriage and wants to defame me,” she said.

Saif had already rejected the allegations made by Meera.

Rehman,a businessman from Faisalabad in Punjab province,has produced a ‘nikaahnama’ or marriage certificate,witnesses,e-mails and records of phone conversations to back his claim of having married Meera.

The marriage certificate states that Rehman will pay Meera Rs 20 million in the event of their divorce. Rehman has said Meera had been living in his residence in Lahore after their marriage in September 2007. “Meera has demanded Rs 8 million for vacating my house,” he claimed.

The sessions court has also summoned the Lahore police chief and SSP (Operations) for not entertaining Meera’s application for registering an FIR against Rehman for threatening her.