Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Sep 9: Shafika Begum, wife of Muneer, who was recently arrested by the city crime branch (CCB) police in connection to theft cases, on Wednesday September 9 alleged CCB of manhandling her at the time her husband's arrest and also claimed that false cases were filed against him.
Addressing a press meet here, Shafika said, "We were called by the CCB police at 5 pm on May 22 this year to the police station and we were made to wait for two hours. I was nine months pregnent at that time. The CCB police asked my husband if he has any cases going on, and he said 'yes, we are going to court on time'. The police then told us to vacate the flat we were staying in, and also threatened that if we failed to do so, they would push us out of the house by spoiling our reputation. On enquiring with an honest policeman, we came to know that Nagaraj Shetty (former BJP minister) had influenced the police to make us vacate our flat.
"On the day I was admitted to hospital for delivery, my husband was supposed to be present in the court. He requested the lawyer to postpone the date of the hearing, but with no choice left, he went to the court at 4 pm. After sometime he recieved a call from the hospital informing him that our newborn had to be shifted to the ICU, so he rushed from the court to the hospital and a warrant was issued against him. Thereafter, we were frequently disturbed by the CCB police at our house and through phone calls. They told us to speak to the CCB chief in private and sort out the issues, and that if we do not do so, more cases would be filed against my husband," she said.
"After a few days, he got malaria and was admitted to hospital, because of which he was not able to attend the court. As soon as he was discharged, 15 policemen of CCB entered our house. No policewoman came with them. They dragged us, and as I was trying to record the incident, theythey caught me and forcibly took away my phone. The police arrested my husband and filled false cases and assaulted him at home and in lock-up. My son recorded a small clipping which I have saved, and a few voice recordings which I will use in the court to defend my husband," she claimed.
"My husband had turned over a new leaf and was living an honest life. You can come to our house and see how we are living. We do not have electricty or any facilites at home. If my husband had stolen money as the CCB claims, we would have been living in luxury. The women and children development department should help my children who have stopped going to school as other students abuse them. I will continue the fight against the police and use the evidence to try and release my husband," she asserted.