The Mumbai police arrested a 74-year-old Saudi Arabian for trying to take a girl with him to his country by furnishing false details about her.
Ali Ahmad had married 19-year-old Razia (name changed) in Bhindi Bazaar area of south Mumbai a few days ago as per the Muslim tradition. The girl's parents were present during the marriage.
Ahmad had arranged for Razia's passport in Hyderabad, in which the girl's age was mentioned as 34 years.
He, along with Razia, reached Sahar airport to catch a flight to Saudi Arabia early on Saturday. During immigration checks, officials suspected that Razia's age was not as was stated in the passport. When questioned, she revealed her real age.
The airport officials then handed over the case to the Sahar police, which registered a forgery case against Ahmad and arrested him.
Razia's medical examination conducted by the police ascertained that her age was 19 years.
The police are now on the look out for Khalid, who allegedly helped Ahmad to get the young bride. Ahamd told the police that he didn't have Khalid's contact details.
According to police sources, Ahmad's contention is that his six daughters and five sons in Saudi Arabia were not looking after him. He was told that he could find a bride for himself in India, who could take care of him.
The girl's parents are rag pickers. In their statement to the police they said they had three girls and two boys, one of them handicapped. Since their economic condition was bad, they had decided to marry Razia off to the Arab in the hope of a better future for her.
Police sources said the girl's family had taken Rs 40,000 from Ahmad as Mehar (amount paid by groom to the bride's family).