Divorce deal clears Malik to wed Sania Mirza
Thursday, 8 April 2010
HYDERABAD, India, Apr 7 (AFP): The celebrity wedding between Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was back on track Wednesday after a deal was struck in which he "divorced" another girl.
Preparations for the high-profile couple's upcoming nuptials had been marred by claims by Indian woman Ayesha Siddiqui that she and Malik were married in 2002 -- sparking a scandal that captivated millions across south Asia.
"Divorce papers have been signed," Farisa Siddiqui, Ayesha's mother, told a news conference in Hyderabad. "The settlement is done."
The deal apparently ends a complex and often contradictory tale during which Malik had consistently denied ever being married to Ayesha.
After Malik and Mirza announced they would get married on April 15, Ayesha made a range of accusations including that she and Malik had signed a "nikahnama" (wedding agreement).
She also lodged a complaint with police in Hyderabad, prompting officers to quiz Malik over the saga and confiscate his passport.
Preparations for the high-profile couple's upcoming nuptials had been marred by claims by Indian woman Ayesha Siddiqui that she and Malik were married in 2002 -- sparking a scandal that captivated millions across south Asia.
"Divorce papers have been signed," Farisa Siddiqui, Ayesha's mother, told a news conference in Hyderabad. "The settlement is done."
The deal apparently ends a complex and often contradictory tale during which Malik had consistently denied ever being married to Ayesha.
After Malik and Mirza announced they would get married on April 15, Ayesha made a range of accusations including that she and Malik had signed a "nikahnama" (wedding agreement).
She also lodged a complaint with police in Hyderabad, prompting officers to quiz Malik over the saga and confiscate his passport.