Hyderabad chief qazi arrested in child bride ring

: Hyderabad’s chief qazi Ali Abdulla Rifai was arrested from an undisclosed destination on Monday for his involvement in the child bride ring, which is accused of marrying off underage girls to older men in various parts of the world.

Deputy commissioner of police, Hyderabad (south zone), V Satyanarayana said Rifai, also known as Volta Qazi, was arrested along with three Oman Sheikhs, and will be produced before the court on Tuesday.

Satyanaryana said the crackdown on the ring would continue till the menace ends. Rifai, a resident of Bhavaninagar in the old city, is considered to be chief qazi of Greater Hyderabad and the head of all qazis in the city.

Following the arrest of over 20 persons, including eight Arab bridegrooms, brokers and local qazis last week, Rifai had gone into hiding. A special team of the Falaknuma police tracked him down and arrested him.

The qazi was arrested in the past too, for performing child marriages with elderly foreign nationals and was suspended by the state minorities department. However, he got bail and a stay order against his suspension.

The police have so far identified more than 35 brokers in Hyderabad alone, of which 25 were women.Three qazis were arrested, including chief qazi of Mumbai, Farid Ahmed Khan.

HYDERABAD