Sania-Shoaib's woes far from over

Hyderabad: Sania Mirza's proposed wedding with Shoaib Malik has been marred by accusations that the Pakistani cricketer is already married to another Hyderabadi girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.

Some reports also claim that the date of the marriage may be postponed from April 15 and even the venue may be changed.

Sania and Shoaib addressed a joint press conference in Hyderabad on Monday and denied Ayesha's claims that he was married to her.

"I am here to clear my name. I am not leaving the country without clearing my name," said Shoaib.

"We are here to clear his name, As an Indian it is my responsibility. We are from respectable families, representing our countries," Sania said.

The duo also dared Ayesha to come out in the open and prove that she was married to Shoaib.

Hyderabad's Police Commissioner AK Khan said that Shoiab's passport would not be confiscated, until a court passes an order to do so.

"A criminal case has been registered and we have made passport entries also. We have written to all international immigration gateways. We have not confiscated the passport. Based on petition of Ayesha we wanted to verify his earlier visits to Hyderabad. We can impound passport only after court orders," he said.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricket team captain Mohammad Azharuddin denied any knowledge of Shoaib's alleged marriage with Ayesha.

"The last time I was in Saudi Arabia was in 1998. After that I have not been there. I do not know anyone by the name Siddiqui and my name is being dragged into the controversy unnecessarily. I do not want my name to feature in the controversy anymore because this is misleading the people," said Azahruddin.

But Sania and Shoaib received the backing of Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah who said that duo should be allowed to get married.

"Sania likes him (Shoaib Malik) and he likes her. Then in this case what can a qazi (Muslim cleric) do? Jab miya biwi razi, to kya karega qazi? (When husband-wife are ready then what can a Qazi do?) The two like each other and I hope they are happy and my blessings are with them," he said.