Lucknow: On February 2, Hiba Rana, daughter of the late poet Munawwar Rana, filed a complaint against her husband and father-in-law, alleging dowry harassment, physical abuse, criminal intimidation, and the issuance of triple talaq. Following her complaint, an FIR was registered at the Saadatganj police station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Munawwar Rana, who had previously opposed the triple talaq law and supported clerics on the issue, is notably linked to the case.
Details of the FIR
The FIR names Hiba Rana’s husband, Syed Mohammad Sakib, and father-in-law, Syed Hasib Ahmad, and cites violations under Sections 85, 115(2), 351(2), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act.
In her complaint, Hiba stated that she married Syed Mohammad Sakib on 19th December 2013 according to Sunni customs. At the time of the marriage, her family reportedly provided gold and diamond jewellery along with Rs 10 lakh in cash as dowry.
Soon after the wedding, she alleged, her husband and father-in-law began demanding additional dowry, including Rs 20 lakh in cash and a flat. She claimed that her family repeatedly met these demands in an effort to safeguard her marital life, but the harassment allegedly continued.
Hiba alleged that she was subjected to repeated physical violence, verbal abuse, and threats to her life. She further claimed that her father-in-law actively participated in dowry demands and intimidation. According to the complaint, the accused often assaulted her with the intent to kill, causing severe mental and physical cruelty. She stated that she has two children, Syed Fawaz and Hayyam Fatima, and alleged that she was not permitted to take them when she was forced out of the matrimonial home.
The FIR notes that on 9 April 2025, Syed Mohammad Sakib allegedly verbally abused and brutally assaulted Hiba. When her sister, Arshia Rana (also known as Tina), arrived at the house, the accused reportedly became aggressive and abusive. The FIR states that Sakib then pronounced triple talaq and forcibly expelled Hiba from the home, while confining both children in a room.
The complaint further alleges that the accused and his father have been issuing continuous threats to Hiba and her family, causing extreme mental distress and fear for her safety.
Officials confirmed that the FIR has been registered based on Hiba’s complaint and that the matter is under investigation. Further legal proceedings will follow upon completion of the probe.
Munawwar Rana’s earlier stand on triple talaq
In 2016, Munawwar Rana publicly opposed legal interventions on triple talaq and sided with Islamic clerics. Speaking at a ‘Kavi Sammelan’ on the foundation day of Dainik Jagran, Rana questioned how religious matters could be resolved through laws modelled on countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh, noting that Muslims in India do not even celebrate Eid by following the lunar calendar of other nations.
