Third marriage: Man files complaint against wife, her family for beating him

Wife claims neither she nor family beat him, registers case against him for marrying without her consent

KARACHI: The man who was beaten up at his wedding reception on Monday, allegedly by his first wife and her family for marrying a third time, has said that he has registered a complaint against his assailants at Taimuria Police Station.

Addressing a press conference at his house in North Karachi on Wednesday, the man, Asif Rafiq, claimed that he had only married twice and not three times as alleged by his first wife, Madiha. Rafiq shared with the media that he was living separately from Madiha, adding that he would soon send her divorce papers.

He said that he was brutally beaten and only managed to escape with great difficulty. "I now intend to take legal action against those involved in the beating," said Rafiq, claiming that the attack on him was preplanned and the offenders had taken away his mobile phone, cash and house keys.

He lamented that the family of his newly-wed second wife had taken her with them and he was not able to get in touch with her.

 

Rebuttal

Later in the day, Madiha, along with her lawyer Anwer Khan and members of Rukhsana Welfare Organisation, too addressed a press conference, stating that she had registered a case against Rafiq for marrying another woman without her consent.

Claiming that neither she nor her family beat up Rafiq, she said that they went to his wedding reception to stop him from ruining the life of another woman. "I went to his reception with my son and brother but we don't know who beat him," she said, adding that she was invited by the bride's family to the reception so that she may expose Rafiq. Madiha also claimed that she and her family were receiving threats.

Responding to a question, Madiha denied Rafiq's claim of paying her Rs200,000 before marrying another woman, demanding that he produce an evidence to prove the claim. She further accused him of 'cruelty' and added that his mother taunted her over her dowry.

She said that she would exercise her legal right and would not stay in the marriage at any cost, but would ensure that Rafiq paid for their son's expenses.

Also addressing the press, Khan said that Rafiq could be sentenced to seven years of imprisonment, under Section 496 of the Pakistan Penal Code, pertaining to fraudulent marriage. He stated that Madiha had filed a petition in the sessions court and also intended to register an FIR against Rafiq.