A video of some Omanis appearing in an Indian court is circulating on social media, drawing a lot of attention across the country. One of the Omanis in the video is Rashid Saud al Madsari, 65, who has remained in detention since 2014. He was twice accused of marrying underaged girls. Al Madsari was declared innocent in the first case, while the second case is still pending the court.
Narrating his story, Al Madsari said: “I went to India for a visit and came in contact with a guide. During a discussion with him, he convinced me I could get married easily. I married the girl, who later cried she was in love with someone else. I asked the family for a divorce, but none responded. I contacted the marriage broker who helped me get divorce.”
He continued: “I was trapped. The dowry was collected as a commercial deal. I returned home after a failed marriage. The same man convinced me to marry again. I had the second marriage with a girl studying Quranic sciences.”
While the first wife spent only a few hours in a separate room, the second spend just one day with him. After the first wife filed a complaint, the police caught Rashid and the tourist guide, and seized his mobile phone. Two days later, he was transferred to Central Prison, where he was told the first wife had committed suicide. “Ultimately, I was declared not guilty.”
Al Madsari said the agent appointed by the consulate was demanding Rs 55,000 from him every month.
“When I asked for a divorce, she (second wife) demanded Rs 100,000, but I refused. I agreed to pay Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 if she could confess she was 18 years. So far, she has not come. I was released, but my passport was seized by the authorities.”
On the assistance provided by the Oman’s Foreign Ministry, he said: “I’ve been paid Rs 1,000 every day after I asked for help from the consulate.”
“I am suffering from heart disease. I asked the government to provide treatment and submitted medical reports, but in vain. My eyesight is weak. I cannot see with my left eye. I asked for help, but I didn’t get it.
I have appealed to all the authorities.
“I thank the Secretary-General of Oman’s National Human Rights Commission for its constant support.”
Following the widely circulated video, the commission contacted the Omani Embassy in India, which clarified that some Omanis came to India for marriage, while others came for treatment.
The commission said such videos should not be allowed to be circulated on social media since the accused have not been convicted. On the other hand, the Indian government has said such violations (marrying underaged girls) must be avoided.
Amer Al Ansari
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