Shoaib may not get back his passport soon

Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, charged with cheating by a woman who claims to be his first wife, may not get back his passport soon as the investigations could drag on for some more time.

Hyderabad City Police Commissioner A K Khan today indicated he could not give any time-frame within which the investigations into the case would be completed.

The police this morning took the passport of Malik and asked him not to leave the country as they questioned him in the wake of a complaint of cheating lodged by the father of a local girl, Ayesha Siddiqui, claiming she was married to him.

 

"As part of investigations, Shoaib's passport has been taken. We felt it necessary to check from the passport the veracity of her (Ayesha's) assertions that Shoaib Malik had visited Hyderabad during the alleged wedding period," Khan told reporters this evening.

Reacting to a query on return of the passport, the senior police officer said that as of now Shoaib's passport would remain with the Central Crime Station (CCS)--a wing of Hyderabad City Police, which has taken over investigations into the case.

"We have also informed the court that we will be requiring his passport," Khan said.

The immigration authorities have been informed about the case, the Police Commissioner said adding "it would enable to keep a watch at airports in case ... If the accused intends to travel outside."