AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker TITLE: Uncle disputes poker debt girl's version DATE: 4:41 AM ----- BODY: The case of teenaged Rasheeda Umrani took another turn here on Monday when
his uncle claimed that the father of Rasheeda was not a gambler and the
story narrated by Rasheeda and her mother was aimed at grabbing the
property. Dil Jan Umrani along with his wife Hidayat Khatoon said Rasheeda
was engaged with the son of her aunt but now she has changed her mind
therefore such fake allegations are being hurled. He told a news conference
at Hyderabad press club that the sister of Rasheeda was married to his son
Saeen Bux who was nominated in the case and Khuda Bux, his another son, was
also nominated in the case and have voluntarily appeared before the police.
He informed newsmen that his brother Rahib was never a gambler and was a man
of good character. The uncle of Rasheeda said the story told by Rasheeda and
her mother Nooran was a mere propaganda aimed at evacuating his family from
the property. He called upon the authorities to hold an impartial inquiry
into the incident and the case registered against his family should be
withdrawn otherwise he would commit self-immolation outside press club along
with his wife. The police however continued to provide security to the
family living in the Site area of Hyderabad while regional police officer
has sought a report of the case from the police. Ten people have been
nominated in the case including tribal leaders who are accused of pressuring
Nooran to hand over her teenaged daughter as payment for a 16-year-old poker
debt. Nooran told a news conference at press club a week ago that despite
paying off her late husband's debt of Rs 10,000, she was threatened with
harm if she failed to hand over her daughter, Rasheeda. The 17-year-old was
to be surrendered as a bride for the son of Lal Haider, the man who won the
card game years before, according to Nooran. --------