In a further development in the case of PR professional Misbah Quadri accusing her broker of forcing her to evict an apartment on the grounds of her being a Muslim, on Saturday the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI), the premier body of public relations practitioners across the country, took serious note of the issue. It has sent an email to Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria, requesting him to conduct a high-level and thorough inquiry into the incident.
On Wednesday, when The Asian Age reporter had visited the building in which the flat is situated, it was found that there was a Muslim family of six members living in the building and so was another Muslim girl who was part of a group that lived there as tenants. However, Ms Quadri claimed that the other Muslims were allowed in the building because they were “influential” people.
The supervisor of the society, Rajesh Nasnolkar, had denied any such bias and pointed out the other Muslims living there, who claimed to be staying in peace.
Meanwhile, the broker whom Ms Quadri has accused, who is known only as Bansal, said on Saturday, “I have been very upset as her accusations — however false— have affected my business.”
In a letter dated April 16, 2015, nearly 10 days before Ms Quadri made her claim, Mr Bansal had written to the Wadala police station seeking action against her for “staying in the flat without lease and license agreement registration.”
While speaking to this newspaper, he accused her of “fake stunt for publicity” and playing the minority card for the “betterment of her career prospects.” According to him, “a broker has no role in taking the decision of who stays and who doesn’t.” He also went on to say that, “She has told me that she’s harassing me so that she can go to Big Boss (a popular reality-based television show).”
He added, “Otherwise why wouldn’t she go to the police and file a statement instead of giving a new statement to the media every other day?”
He further said that only after she gives a statement to the police would he speak in detail. Meanwhile, the roommates who were also allegedly forced to leave with Ms Quadri were unavailable for comment.
