Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, charged with cheating by a woman who claims to be his first wife, may not get back his passport soon as the investigations could drag on for some more time. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner A K Khan today indicated he could not give any time-frame within which the investigations into the case would be completed.
The Police this morning seized the passport of Malik and asked him not to leave the country as they questioned him in the wake of a complaint of cheating lodged by the father of a local girl, Ayesha Siddiqui, claiming she was married to him.
"As part of investigations, Shoaib's passport has been taken. We felt it necessary to check from the passport the veracity of her (Ayesha's) assertions that Shoaib Malik had visited Hyderabad during the alleged wedding period," Khan told reporters this evening.
Reacting to a query on return of the passport, the senior police officer said that as of now Shoaib's passport would remain with the Central Crime Station (CCS)--a wing of Hyderabad City Police, which has taken over investigations into the case. "We have also informed the court that we will be requiring his passport," Khan said.
The immigration authorities have been informed about the case, the Police Commissioner said adding "it would enable to keep a watch at airports in case ... if the accused intends to travel outside."
Asked if Malik faces arrest, Khan said "if it becomes necessary to arrest somebody, we will do it but that is all based on how the case evolves and what sort of evidence we come across." The Hyderabad Police Commissioner said that to ensure a thorough and professional investigation, Malik's case has been transferred to CCS.
Reacting to queries if the investigation would be completed before April 15 (the day of proposed marriage between Shoaib and Sania Mirza), Khan said "we will go by the facts of the case and investigate."
"Now, we are in the process of collecting evidence and examining witnesses. At every stage, we will take legal help also and once the whole thing is completed, we will weigh the quality of evidences that we have and will decide what should be done with the case," Khan said.
"We are not going to hurry up or delay with the case. The investigation process has just started and it will take a long time in examining the witnesses including the qazis," he added.
Referring to Malik's visa, he said "the visa he has does not require him to report to police but during the course of the investigation, if it is required to impose certain restrictions on Shoaib, we will do it," Khan added.
Asked if Malik faces arrest, Khan said "if it becomes necessary to arrest somebody, we will do it but that is all based on how the case evolves and what sort of evidence we come across."
On Ayesha's claim that she had suffered a miscarriage after her marriage with Shoaib, Khan said the investigating officers will also look into this aspect to establish its veracity. "Our concern is to establish the truth and putting it before the court," he said.
The Hyderabad Police Commissioner said that to ensure a thorough and professional investigation, Malik's case has been transferred to CCS.
Reacting to queries if the investigation would be completed before April 15 (the day of proposed marriage between Shoaib and Sania Mirza), Khan said "we will go by the facts of the case and investigate."
"Now, we are in the process of collecting evidence and examining witnesses. At every stage, we will take legal help also and once the whole thing is completed, we will weigh the quality of evidences that we have and will decide what should be done with the case," Khan said.
"We are not going to hurry up or delay with the case. The investigation process has just started and it will take a long time in examining the witnesses including the qazis," he added.
Referring to Malik's visa, he said "the visa he has does not require him to report to police but during the course of the investigation, if it is required to impose certain restrictions on Shoaib, we will do it," Khan added. PTI
