Author: Our Staff Reporter
Publication: News Today
Date: August 1, 2002
URL: http://newstodaynet.com/01aug/ld4.htm
When Dr Sindu married Dr J Mohammed
Iqbal after a sweet romantic affair in November 1999, she never thought
a tempest would sweep her blissful life away. After all, both were dentists
and, therefore, knew how to have a sweet tooth without allowing cavity
to come between them. But hardly had she set up a separate home with her
hubby, braving opposition from relatives, when Dr Iqbal started bad-mouthing
her.
Dr Sindu did not know how to cure
her husband ' s foul mouth. As days passed, the torture continued. Dr Iqbal
along with his father, who is a lecturer at the Government Arts College,
Ponneri, and mother, a senior teacher at the Government Higher Secondary
School, Ponneri, began to harass her for dowry. At one stage, the family
forced her to convert to Islam, which she stubbornly refused.
Then, she was compelled to have
a miscarriage. Having decided that enough is enough, Dr Sindu walked out
of her marital home in March this year. Even for a dentist like her, the
decision was as painful as pulling out a decayed tooth.
She then filed a complaint under
the Dowry Prohibition Act against her estranged husband and parents-in-law
seeking that she be paid back the expenses incurred in conducting her marriage
and reception, besides the money spent on her jewellery.
The police after investigations
found the accused guilty and Dr Iqbal, who is now working in a Government
Hospital at Pattukottai, promptly moved the Madras High Court for anticipatory
bail fearing arrest. The court, however, directed him to pay Rs seven lakh
to Dr Sindu as a pre-condition to granting bail.
When the matter came up for hearing
before Justice R Balasubramanian on Tuesday, Iqbal ' s advocate requested
the court to reduce the amount as his client does not have enough money
in hand. Rejecting the argument, the judge said: ' He is a government doctor,
so let him borrow money. Many people will be willing to lend money to him
in view of his status. Let him settle the money so that she (Dr Sindu)
can live in peace. '
Justice Balasubramanian then posted
the case to 8 August with a direction that Iqbal should pay the money before
7 August failing which his plea for anticipatory bail will be dismissed.
As an interim order, the judge directed the police not to arrest him for
another week.
