“I have not denounced my marriage with Fiza, alias Anuradha Bali, and we remain husband and wife,” stated former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Chand Mohammad, alias Chander Mohan, in a fax message received from London by Newsline on Monday evening. Refuting allegations of rape, cheating and criminal intimidation levelled against him and his family by Fiza, Chand said he is deeply hurt by his second wife’s conduct.

Addressed to the Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, before whom Fiza had filed a complaint on February 16, Chand’s fax reads: “Bali is under the false impression that I have betrayed her. I have neither reconverted to Hinduism nor have I denounced my marriage. I have always stated that I did not convert to Islam for the sake of marriage; I am a devout Muslim and shall remain so.”

The 43-year-old Congress legislator from Kalka reiterated that he was in UK for medical treatment.

On Fiza’s allegation of his family threatening her, the beleaguered son of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal said: “My family has disowned me so why will they make threat calls to Bali? Since I have stayed with them for so long, I can vouch for their conduct and am certain that they will never behave in such a manner.”

On the issue of his ‘deserting’ Fiza, Chand clarified: “I have always maintained that I respect and hold Bali in high esteem. I did not make any defamatory statements against her. Further, as I have neither denounced my marriage nor deserted her, therefore, the question of my raping her does not arise. There is no ground for her to complain against me under offences of rape, cheating, hurting religious sentiments or defamation.”

In conclusion, Chand averred: “I have not committed any fraud or rape or any act of defamation or desertion. However, I must say that I am deeply hurt by her (Fiza’s) conduct.”

Confirming the receipt of Chand’s reply, Investigating Officer Varinder Pal Singh said: “As Chand has categorically denied all allegations against him and reaffirmed his marriage and conversion to Islam, we will seek legal opinion on the matter before initiating appropriate action.”

Fiza, too, sought time to give her answer. “I will have to consult my legal advisors before reacting,” said Fiza over the phone.