Mediator Babu Khan says the divorce was nearly settled on the quiet before the Siddiquis went public
Mediator Babu Khan says the divorce was nearly settled on the quiet before the Siddiquis went public
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| LOVING THE LIMELIGHT? Ayesha's mother, Fareesa Siddiqui, at a press conference last week. PIC/AFP |
Tons of newsprint and hours of airtime could have been saved had the Siddiquis not been publicity hungry and settled the divorce quietly as they had been advised, according to a negotiator. Babu Khan, a former Andhra Pradesh minister, who mediated in the divorce between Shoaib and Ayesha said he met her father a day or two after the news of Shoaib's marriage with Sania broke.
"An amicable divorce was almost finalised, but, surprisingly, I saw the Siddiquis threatening legal action on TV the next day," he said.
"When I met Siddiqui for the first time after the news of Sania's marriage broke, I asked him what he wanted and he told me wanted nothing more than a divorce. I asked him to keep mum about it and that I would pass on the message to Shoaib. Everything was going well, but it seemed they were driven by publicity and hence went ahead and did all this. The whole issue could have come to an end within a day or two," said Khan.
EyewitnessKhan claims Siddiqui had come to him first and asked him to confirm that the wedding between Ayesha and Shoaib did take place. "I did so because I had attended the wedding," he added.
Khan said he knows the Mirzas, who stay in the house just behind his in Banjara Hills. "I was the first person to get financial aid for Mirza during the TDP's tenure. Mirza got the money but forgot me. I do not expect them to invite me for the wedding. I am not sure whether the Siddiquis would go or not if they are invited. They are funny people," he said.
| The Other Side |
| One of Ayesha's cousins answered the phone at the Siddiqui residence. "I am not allowed to talk to the media or answer the phone. Everyone has gone out and they are a bit relaxed after more than a week's stress. There is nothing to rejoice about in a divorce, but at least the stress is gone," she said |
