LAHORE: A local family court on Monday dismissed a jactitation of marriage suit filed by actress Meera declaring her nikhanama (marriage certificate) with businessman Attiqur Rehman a valid one, however, cancelled the same on the basis of khula (cancellation of marriage) sought by her.

The family court judge, Babar Nadeem, observed that the suit moved by Meera nine years ago was not based on truth and she was wife of the defendant (Rehman). “The nikhanama is lawfully registered,” the judge said.

He noted that the testimony of witnesses revealed that a house in DHA Lahore had become bone of contention between the couple and they resorted to criminal and civil litigation against each other for the last 10 years.

The judge observed that the couple could not live anymore like husband and wife due to bitterness of their relation. “Therefore, the nikhanama in question is hereby declared cancelled,” the judge added.

Meera through counsel had pleaded that Rehman prepared a fake nikahnama showing her as his wife only to grab her property.

The actress said she had no relation with Rehman but he had been blackmailing her by claiming to be her husband. She alleged that the nikhanama ‘prepared’ by the defendant was not verified by the union council concerned. She asked the court to declare the impugned marriage certificate a fake one.

Separately, Rehman had filed a private complaint before a judicial magistrate against Meera accusing her of committing a crime by contracting marriage with Captain Naveed as she was still his (petitioner) wife.

He said Meera wedded to Naveed without dissolution of her previous marriage. He further accused Meera of occupying his house in DHA.

However, the magistrate allowing an application of Meera had halted proceedings of the complaint till decision of the family court.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2018