On 2nd February, Hiba Rana, daughter of the controversial late poet Munawwar Rana, filed a complaint against her husband and father-in-law for dowry harassment, physical violence, criminal intimidation, and issuance of triple talaq. Based on her complaint, an FIR has been registered at Saadatganj police station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Notably, Munawwar Rana had opposed the triple talaq law and had sided with clerics in the matter. OpIndia accessed the FIR registered in the matter.
What the FIR says
The FIR has been registered on the complaint of Hiba Rana against her husband, Syed Mohammad Sakib, and father-in-law, Syed Hasib Ahmad, 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 got married to Sakib on 19th December 2013 as per Sunni customs. At the time of the marriage, her family allegedly gave gold and diamond jewellery along with Rs 10 lakh in cash as dowry.
Soon after the marriage, her husband and father-in-law allegedly began demanding additional dowry, including Rs 20 lakh in cash and a flat. She added that these demands were repeatedly met by her family in an attempt to protect her marital life. However, according to her, the harassment did not stop.
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 intention to kill and subjected her to severe mental and physical cruelty.
She stated that she has two children, Syed Fawaz and Hayyam Fatima. She alleged that she was not allowed to take both her children when she was forced out of the matrimonial home.
As per the FIR, on 9 April 2025, Syed Mohammad Sakib allegedly abused and brutally assaulted Hiba Rana. When her sister, Arshia Rana, also known as Tina, arrived at the house, the accused allegedly became aggressive and abusive. The FIR states that Syed Mohammad Sakib then pronounced triple talaq and forcibly pushed Hiba Rana out of the house, while confining both children inside a room.
The complaint further states that the accused and his father have been continuously issuing threats to Hiba Rana and her family, causing her extreme mental distress and fear for her safety.
Police action
Police officials stated that the FIR has been registered on the basis of the complaint and that the matter is under investigation. Further legal action will be taken after the probe is completed.
Munawwar Rana’s earlier stand on triple talaq
In 2016, Munawwar Rana had publicly opposed legal interventions on the issue of triple talaq and had aligned himself with Islamic clerics. Speaking at a ‘Kavi Sammelan’ organised on the foundation day of Dainik Jagran, Rana had questioned how religious matters could be resolved through laws framed in countries such as Pakistan or Bangladesh, arguing that Muslims do not even celebrate Eid by sighting the moon of another country.
