ISLMABAD, Aug 11: A religious scholar was booked by capital police for her alleged involvement in fraud, police said on Saturday.

The police said that the scholar allegedly minted Rs1.7million from a couple for the treatment of a woman.

Former squadron leader Javed Iqbal in his complaint lodged with the Woman Police Station said he and her wife paid Rs1.7million to Scholar Tayyaba Bukhari for the treatment of his mother-in-law through internet. They were in contact with her on phone, who gave them Quranic verses to recite for the treatment.

In response they paid the amount through internet which went to her bank account. However, the patient did not get any relief, forcing the couple to demand their money back, which she refused.

Later, the couple approached the police and lodged a complaint against Ms Bukhari. In response the police registered a case.

Moharar of woman police said that the number given by the accused was under the use of the scholar which was checked and verified too. However, efforts are in progress to get the details of the bank account.

The moharar said the accused used to hold religious gathering and also appeared in state-run television channel.

Woman police SHO Sadaf Basharat when contacted confirmed that the police had registered a case against the scholar.

The police have started investigation and suspect that someone else might be using her name to defraud people but it is yet to be confirmed, the SHO said, adding that details and call record of the mobile number had been sought from the cellphone company.

Secretary to Ms Bukhari, Syeda Batool Rizvi, when contacted, denied the allegation saying Ms Bukhari was a religious scholar and had nothing to do with spiritual healing.