The Hindu : Front Page : Youth held for “barging” into Sania Mirza’s house

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Thursday, Jul 09, 2009
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Youth held for “barging” into Sania Mirza’s house

Staff Reporter

— Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

‘SANIA STALKER’: Ashraf being arrested by the police in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: A youngster from Kerala, who had been allegedly sending text messages seeking ace tennis player Sania Mirza’s hand in marriage, landed behind the bars after he barged into her house in Banjara Hills here on Tuesday night, the police said.

The youngster was identified as Ashraf from Kerala, an enginereing college dropout, presently pursuing a diploma course in Bangalore.

Police had also taken into custody Ashraf’s friend Mohanty, who had accompanied him to Sania’s house, but later let him off after ascertaining that he had no knowledge of the mischief Ashraf was up to.

Police said Ashraf managed to get the mobile number of Sania Mirza’s father Imran Mirza. On coming to know about Sania’s proposed engagement, he continued to flood Mr. Mirza with text messages. He also tried to call Mr. Mirza on his mobile but the latter did not take the calls.

On Tuesday, he sent a message stating that he would ‘come to see his daughter physically once’. Concerned over Sania’s safety, her father alerted the police who posted a picket at her house.

Ashraf, police said, had asked Mohanty to accompany him to visit a friend in Hyderabad, promising that he would bear all the travel expenses.

They flew in from Bangalore and went straight to Sania’s house around 10.30 p.m. They told the policemen standing outside that they were her friends and she had invited them over.

But the policemen grew suspicious and caught the duo as Ashraf gave inconsistent answers. A case was registered under Sections 442 (trespass), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (act intended to insult modesty of a woman).

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