Rahman's family refused to accept blank cheque

Kolkata: The family of Rizwanur Rahman, the Muslim youth who was found dead a month after marrying the daughter of a rich Hindu industrialist, yesterday denied allegations they accepted money from the bride's relatives.

The Rahmans moved the Calcutta High Court to probe the death.

"We were offered a blank cheque by the Todis [bride's family] at the very outset when they wanted to break the marriage.

"We could have accepted their offer for an indefinite amount if we wanted money," said Rukbanur Rahman, Rizwanur's brother who is spearheading the family's fight for justice.

A Bengali TV channel quoted CBI sources as saying Pradip Todi, brother of Rizwanur's father-in-law, alleged an uncle took money from the Todis. The statement reportedly said Pappu, alias S.M. Mahinuddin, was also one of the recipients of the money.

"Amid allegations of accepting money from the Todis, I think we owe a clarification to the people who stood by us all along our fight.

"We have never ever accepted any money from anyone. Even the driver of the Todis - Hari - had come with offers of money, but we stood firm in our stand and refused them," Rukbanur said.

Temptations

"This is a conspiracy to malign the family and derail the movement for justice. There would be more such allegations and temptations, but I urge all to stick together," he added.

Earlier in the day, Rukbanur and his mother Keshwar Jahan filed a case in the High Court challenging the legality of a judicial inquiry into Rizwanur's mysterious death.

"With the High Court already ordering a CBI probe, there is no point in continuing," the petitioners said.

The case will be heard on November 1.

"The CBI probe would bring out the truth of any allegation of money changing hands. The CBI probe is progressing in a positive direction," Rukbanur said.

He also presented all five uncles at the press conference to support his claims.