Shami-Hasin Jahan slugfest: Mamata Banerjee intervenes, to meet cricketer's wife

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday agreed to meet the wife of Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, Hasin Jahan, who had sought the CM's help in her pitched battle against her husband. The Chief Minister's office (CMO) Nabanna has confirmed that Banerjee will meet her on Friday.

Jahan has levelled numerous allegations on the Indian pacer, ranging from adultery, match fixing to even attempt to murder.

In a press conference at the Bankshall Court, she had sought the chief minister's intervention, reiterating that there's no question of a reconciliation. "It's a fight for truth by a helpless woman against a celebrity cricketer who has fame, name and money. No one is with me and I request the chief minister to come for the support of truth, but not me or Shami," Jahan had said.

"Our fight has reached a stage that there's no question of a compromise now. I will fight my own battle. If I give up now, it will be the loss of face for the whole women community. And why should I? I've all the evidence with me. No chance," she had said.

Jahan further alleged that Shami is still giving her threats as she sought for a police protection. "Shami called me today saying 'Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You have framed me.' He further asked me to take back all the allegations for the sake of my and my daughter's lives," she had added.

The marital feud between Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami and his wife Hasin Jahan has sparked a controversy, with the latter's allegations against the Indian pacer leading to his exclusion from the BCCI annual contract.

Shami has been charged under various non-bailable and bailable sections of the IPC, including section 498A, which deals with cruelty to a woman by her husband or his relatives, Section 307 - attempt to murder, Section 323 - punishment for voluntarily causing hurt, Section 376 - rape, Section 506 - criminal intimidation, Section 328 and Section 34.

The fast bowler's wife Hasin Jahan had claimed that Shami was having extra-marital affairs and alleged that he abused her physically and mentally. Reflecting, Shami said, "Past few days have been quite stressful. I have not eaten properly and the cricket practice has also come to a standstill." 

He had earlier refuted all the allegations and said that someone was misleading his wife. Kolkata police, meanwhile, will be flying to Dubai to investigate the Shami case.

(With inputs from agencies)