Mumbai Police informant’s pleas for help against threats fall on deaf ears

Jasmine Bano Ali, Jamshed Khan’s daughter, died by suicide around a month ago; (right) Jamshed Khan

An informant for the Mumbai Police, Jamshed Munir Khan, has been facing death threats after his daughter's husband was arrested by the UP police in a dowry-related suicide case. However, Khan is struggling to register an FIR or get help to protect himself and his family from his daughter's
in-laws.

Khan resides in Indira Nagar in Govandi. His daughter, Jasmine Bano Ali, 24, died by suicide a month ago in Uttar Pradesh (UP) after she was unable to fulfil her husband's demand for a car as dowry. The Mandhata police in UP registered an FIR against Jasmine's husband, Farman Ali, in-laws Abbas Ali and Avran Nisha, and brothers-in-law Ishrat Ali and Arman Ali. While Farman Ali was arrested for abetment of suicide, the rest of the family escaped to Mumbai and are allegedly pressuring Khan's family to withdraw the FIR.

Khan said, "I have been working as an informant for Mumbai police for 20 years. I have played a crucial role in solving many cases, but am struggling to register an FIR when my family and I are receiving death threats from the Ali family. My daughter got married to Farman Ali in Mumbai in 2020 and I had provided Rs 2 lakh cash and household items as dowry. However, they were not satisfied and demanded a car from my daughter. She informed me about this, but I did not have the means to fulfil their demand immediately, so I asked for some time. My daughter has two children."

Khan further explained, "A month ago, my daughter's in-laws told me that she died of a snake bite. I was about to board the train when they called me again and said she had hanged herself. I immediately informed the Mandhata police station and registered an FIR. My daughter lost her life over a car."

"The Ali family has come to reside in the area I live in. They threaten me and my family daily. They said that they killed my daughter and will harm my family unless I withdraw the FIR. I approached Shivaji Nagar police but they refused to register an FIR. I submitted a copy of my complaint to the ACP and DCP but have not received assistance so far. My family is in danger and I need help," said Khan, who also approached Mandhata police for help but has not been helped so far.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Vinay Sahane of Raniganj, UP, told mid-day, "I will check this issue and will help the family of the deceased. I will also check with the Mandhata police about this case. We will also arrest the other accused."

2020
Year Jasmine married Farman Ali