The Hindu : National : "It's a case of molestation, not rape"

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Friday, Jul 01, 2005

National

National

"It's a case of molestation, not rape"

Special Correspondent

Imrana issue a media creation, says Muslim Political Council Of India "What has happened to the victim is grossly unfair and violates the human rights of a woman. But it is for her and her family to decide whether to accept the fatwa or approach a court of law."

NEW DELHI: The Muslim Political Council of India, an organisation to promote political awareness among Muslims, on Thursday described the Imrana rape case as a"media creation."

There was no assault and the moulvi who issued the fatwa, asking the victim to live separately from her husband, was not authorised to do so.

The council accused the local religious court and the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board of issuing the edict without ascertaining facts.

Talking to presspersons here, Tasleem Rehmani, council president,said the case was blown out of proportion to malign the Muslims and the Shariat. He planned to file a complaint in the Press Council of India against "irresponsible" reporting.

Dr. Rehmani said the accused tried to "molest" his daughter-in-law.

When the victim complained to her mother-in-law, the village elders sorted out the matter. He released a video recording of his conversation with the victim in which she said her father-in-law had not "succeeded in his motive" and that she was "coerced" by the police to file a first information report. Also, that a woman's group gave her Rs. 5,000 to say she would not accept the fatwa.

According to Dr. Rehmani, a relative took the matter to a teacher in the local madrasa moulvi Mohd Shamim, who issued the fatwa.

The Muslim Personal Law Board endorsed it. "The legal and Shariat rules will automatically change in the case of molestation."

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