Doctor protests outside estranged husband’s home, seeks child support in Kerala

THRISSUR: A day-and-night protest staged by Dr Aisha Mohammed outside her husband Dr Ali Abdul Latheef's house at Edakkazhiyur has entered its 10th day.

Key points

• Aisha and Ali Abdul Latheef entered into a nikah in 2013, followed by a wedding reception in 2015.
• Nevertheless, Ali Abdul Latheef's father stated the house belonged to him and not his son.
• She further alleges that her husband and his family afterwards subjected her to physical and mental harassment while demanding further gold and funds.
• She has additionally alleged that her husband married another woman without legally divorcing her or ending their marital relationship.
• According to Aisha, the second marriage was with a woman from Kozhikode.

Aisha and Ali Abdul Latheef entered into a nikah in 2013, followed by a wedding reception in 2015. Aisha alleges that her family offered 100 sovereigns of gold and Rs 15 lakh at the time of the marriage.

She further alleges that her husband and his family afterwards subjected her to physical and mental harassment while demanding further gold and funds. She additionally alleged that she was locked inside a room and assaulted while working in Mangaluru during the Covid pandemic and that she returned home with the assistance of the police.

Aisha notes she has been raising their daughter alone for the past six years and alleges that her husband has not paid even the amount ordered by the court towards the child's expenses. She has additionally alleged that her husband married another woman without legally divorcing her or ending their marital relationship.

According to Aisha, the second marriage was with a woman from Kozhikode. The legal circumstances surrounding these allegations can be assessed only based on relevant documents and court proceedings.

Aisha alleges that when she reached her husband's house with a court order allowing her to enter the residence, the gate was locked and she was denied basic facilities, including water. Nevertheless, Ali Abdul Latheef's father stated the house belonged to him and not his son. He additionally stated they had obtained a protection order in their favour from the court under the Domestic Violence Act and would contest the matter through legal channels.

Aisha alleges that she approached the police a number of times, but no favourable action was taken. The police, nevertheless, stated that the cases filed by Aisha are pending before the Family Court and Magistrate Court. The Chavakkad police remarked they had produced the necessary arrangements to implement the court order.

Aisha's main demands include the return of the gold and funds allegedly given by her family at the time of marriage, adequate maintenance for her daughter's future, and legal protection and rights for herself and her daughter. She maintains that she will consider a legal divorce only after these demands are addressed. "I have decided to continue the protest until my rights are ensured, " Aisha informed the TNIE.

In practice, the ownership of the house, the scope of the protection orders, and other disputes related to the marital relationship are before the courts.

Taken together, the developments around doctor protests outside estranged husband's home, seeks child support in Kerala point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.