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Rizwan's mother speaks out

November 02, 2007
He was a humble Muslim computer programmer living in a Kolkata chawl, she was the daughter of an industrialist worth over Rs 200 crore.

When Rizwan-ur Rehman and Priyanka Todi eloped and married in August, all hell broke lose.

Ashok Todi, Priyanka's father, tried to snatch away his daughter from Rizwan's home. Rizwan with a humble salary of Rs 11,000 was helpless in his fight against the high and mighty. Sadly, Rizwan's misfortune did not end there and he died a few days later in suspicious circumstances.

The Todi family claims it is a case of suicide while Rizwan's family has no doubt that their son was murdered.

It was only after the media took up the issue, that the state government assigned the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Rediff.com Managing Editor Sheela Bhatt visited Rizwan's home in Kolkata and spoke to Rizwan's mother Kishwar Jehan.

Rizwan's sister-in-law Zaheda Rehman and his uncle Jaleesh-ur Khan were also present and contributed in narrating the plight of the Rehman family.

When we reached Kishwar's home in the lower middle-class locality of Tilajal Lane, she was washing clothes in an open space in front of the house. The humble home opens into a dark and small kitchen. There were two rooms adjoining the kitchen. One was used as bedroom and another had some sitting space.

Both rooms were without ventilation with unpainted walls, uneven floors and the roof was made of tin sheets. The bedroom had a tiny window.

The locality around their home was bustling with community activity. None of the women in Rizwan's home were wearing a burqa.

Image: A candelight vigil for Rizwan-ur Rehman.

Also read: CBI questions Rizwanur's widow
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