Hyderabad:
People who came across as well-wishers during her moment of crisis are turning tormentors for Pak cricketer Shoaib Malik's first wife Ayesha Siddiqui. Reason: They think Ayesha made Rs 15 crore from her ex-husband Shoaib Malik and they want their pound of flesh.
"We are tired of people's meanness. At a time when we are in deep sorrow because we don't know how to pull our daughter out of depression, these people are harassing her. We are going through a bad phase," said a member of the Siddiqui family.
Shiraj Sareen Khan, president of the United Women Front, who had filed a suit with the State Human Rights Commission on Ayesha's behalf, says she expects 10 per cent of the rumoured Rs 15 crore settlement for her crucial role in resolving the crisis.
"I don't want money for myself. All I want is a donation for our organisation, which is fighting for vulnerable women like Ayesha. I heard that Shoaib gave Rs 15 crore to Ayesha before he signed the divorce papers. If this is true, at least 10 per cent of the amount should be donated to our organisation," said Shiraj Khan.
When MiD DAY met Shams Babar, a close friend of the Siddiquis, at his hospital in Banjara Hills, he said, "People should be ashamed when they make such claims. They came to help us of their own accord. Even if we had approached them for help, is it fair to demand money for it?"
Babar said Ayesha was sad that Shiraj has been calling repeatedly for money. "Ayesha says she plans to write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi if people continue to pester her. She has not received the sort of money they think she did from Shoaib. Such people are demeaning her by claiming a share in the amount," he added.
Abid Rasool Khan, who headed the main team of negotiators, agreed with Babar. "Shoaib gave Rs 15,000 to Ayesha in keeping with stipulations of Islamic law. She donated this money. I don't know where all this talk of Rs 15 crore is coming from. I am among the negotiators who are upset with the Mirzas and Siddiquis for being given the cold shoulder once the negotiations ended. However, I am against people trying to extort money.
Such blackmailers should be punished," said Khan.
The Other Side"I don't want the money for myself. It should be a donation for our organisation, which is fighting for vulnerable women like Ayesha. I heard that Shoaib gave Rs 15 crore to Ayesha before he signed the divorce papers. If this is true, at least 10 per cent of the amount should be donated to our organisation," said
Shiraj Khan.
"When I was roped in to mediate during the crisis, Ayesha's relatives, including Dr Babar, had assured me that they would donate some amount. However, once the issue got resolved, the family became absolutely cold," she added.
On record? It is rumoured that Shiraj has recorded a video which reveals the actual amount of money paid to Ayesha as settlement. She is believed to have threatened Ayesha's family that she will distribute the footage to TV channels if they don't pay up.