In yet another case illustrating the perils of arranged alliances, where the young are often hitched without being allowed to meet their prospective spouses before marriage, a man in his mid-twenties has been booked, along with his family members, for harassing his wife.

The case was recently registered at the Amboli police station. The accused were mentally and physically harassing the woman for want of dowry, said the complainant in her statement.

According to sources, the complainant Subuhi Sheikh (name changed) married Altaf Shaikh (name changed) more than a month ago; the marriage was arranged by both families, with the help of a mediator. Since the families were orthodox, the bride and the bridegroom were never brought face to face with each other, and had to make do with photographs, the sources added.

The marriage was solemnised in a grand manner, with scores of people from both sides attending the function. However, things changed soon after the wedding.

Altaf soon wanted divorce from his wife, alleging her of being ‘manly’ in her physical appearance. “He charged that his wife had lots of hair on her face, similar to the moustache and beard of a man,” said a police source privy to the case’s investigation. Altaf also complained that due to her muscular body, his wife looked much older than her actual age.

Police sources said that this led to severe spats between the families, who finally landed up at the Amboli police station. At the instance of her family members, Subuhi registered a case of dowry harassment against her husband and in-laws.