Father Abducts own infants – Mother Rishana Nilofer’s Cry for Help
Udupi: An Unfortunate Episode of Abduction of Infants by their own father was reported from Ullal Mangaluru. Mother Rishana Nilofer is crying for help since 2 months. Her only cry is, “Give my Children Back”.
Explaining the heartbreaking story of Rishana Nilofer, Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, President, Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi addressing the press meet at Vaikunta Baliga Law College Udupi on Saturday, November 17, said that having gone through a saga of suffering since 2 months, Rishana Nilofer of Ullal has reached the stage of losing her mental and physical balance due to depression. Her husband, Shanib, who was employed in the Gulf, came to India(Mangalore) on the 8th of September, 2018 for Rishana Nilofer’s delivery of their third child. Their third child named Nuha Mariam was born on the 10th of September, 2018. On the 18th of September at 4:00 pm, he first took two of his minor children for an outing on the pretext of buying them ice cream. On the same day, he abducted and took both of them to Abu Dhabi by the night flight. After landing at Abu Dhabi, at around 10:00 pm he informed his wife that the children were with him in Abu Dhabi. For the next two days, he kept her updated about the children through WhatsApp images. After that, there was no communication from him. The Indian Embassy has to take immediate action to bring the children otherwise there is a possibility of the mother’s life being danger.
Marriage that took place 8 years ago
Rishana, daughter of Siddhiabba, a renowned businessman, got married to Shanib 8 years ago. It was an arranged marriage and 130 sovereign gold and a flat in Mangalore was handed over to Shanib’s family on demand. The marriage was solemnized with the consent of both families in the presence of the seniors of the Jamaath.
Initial stage of abuse
Ever since Rishana got married, she was ill-treated by her husband and mother-in-law. She was always taunted and degraded by her husband and mother in law on the ground that she was not well qualified. She often had to face physical and emotional abuse that led to mental agony. All the basic needs including clothing were provided by her own parents. She was always treated like a slave by her husband and mother in law. She was allowed to have her dinner only after her mother-in-law returned home at midnight.
Complaint to HRPF
On the 1st of October, 2018 she approached HRPF with her newborn girl child just 20 days old to narrate her saga of suffering regarding her abducted children. She Was consoled and counselled as she was panic-stricken and on the verge of depression. She was guided to go to the Jamaat and resolve the dispute peacefully. She was also advised to register a complaint at the Police Station. Even after two months of abduction, the elders of the community couldn’t succeed in resolving the dispute.
Support from the Muslim social organizations
At this stage, many Muslim social organizations extended their moral support to Rishana. Samman Counselling Centre contacted Kannadiga friends in Abu Dhabi who promised to resolve the dispute amicably.
Legislation in this regard
A Committee of Advocates from HRPF submitted a detailed report after analyzing the entire case. As per the Muslim Sunni sect, a girl child shall be in the custody of the mother until she attains puberty and the boy child till he attains the age of 7.
Complaint to the External Affairs Ministry
For 2 months, no important member of the community nor social organizations succeeded in resolving the issue. The police have nor taken any action in this regard. Currently, there is no communication from Rishana’s husband and his family members. To proceed legally, HRPF has already contacted advocates.
HRPF has submitted a detailed report in this regard to Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister.
HRPF has committed to extend its wholehearted support to Rishana in this struggle until she gets justice, he said.