HYDERABAD, Aug 16: The kidnapping case of Mannu Bheel’s nine family members seems to be taking a back seat amid a controversy involving Mannu Bheel and a woman Meena Kohli, who has accused him of attempting to sexually assault her.

Another case has been lodged against Abdul Rehman Marri and others including Meena Kohli’s husband Kewal Kohli for issuing murder threats to Mannu and his associates, including Gianchand and others who were residing in hari camp set up in Sikandarbad Kotri taluka, Jamshoro.

The case has been lodged on the complaint of Gianchand against landlord Abdul Rehman Mari, Ali Ghulam Mari, Gulab Mari, Dr. Hyder Malokani of Green Rural Development Organisation, Qamar Sheikh, Kewal Kohli and Nagji Kohli under sections 14, 147,148, 452, 506(2) vide crime no 283/08. The complainant alleged that accused had visited hari camp at midnight on August 11 and searched their houses. “My son had identified the accused who arrived there and issued threats of murder to me and Mannu Bheel”, he said. They told the inmates that they would murder or kidnap Manu Bheel and Gianchand because they were working against them.

Registration of this fresh case followed lodging of an FIR against Manu Bheel, Gianchand and others on the complaint of Meena Kohli, the wife of Kewal Kohli, alleging that the accused had attempted to rape her in village Usman Sipyo within the jurisdiction of Tandojam police station. No arrests are made in either case by Kotri or Tandojam police so far.

“I had gone to Karachi to appear in a TV programme when the incident took place. My brothers had identified the accused, including Abdul Rehman Marri, Dr Haider Malokani and others who had arrived in a hi-roof. If any harm came to me these people nominated in Gianchand’s FIR will be held responsible”, said Manu Bheel.

Meena Kohli had been living in Sikandarbad hari camp and she had also lodged a similar non-cognisable case several months back against Mannu Bheel and others. Her second case by Tandojam police was lodged under directives of Additional District Judge-II.

Following lodging of FIR against him Manu Bheel sent applications to higher authorities, seeking their intervention and withdrawal of false case against him. On the other hand Meena Kohli also stood firm on her charges against accused of her case. She along with her supporters staged a protest demonstration outside local press club here on Saturday as well. Dr. Hyder Malokani of GRDO also participated in the demonstration as GRDO is assisting Meean Kohli in her case.

Along with GRDO’s general secretary, Ghulam Haider Khoso, president Hari Mazdoor Tanzeem, Shahida Khaskheli and Dr. Hyder Malokani, Meena Kohli addressed a press conference on August 13 to defend herself and reject charges against NGO’s office-bearers. Malokani had claimed that his organisation is on record having raised voice for Mannu Bheel but if he is indulging in wrongdoings then he ought to be opposed.

He claimed that Meena Kohli, her husband Kewal Kohli, Nagji, Dr Haider, Qamar Sheikh were being used against him by Abdul Rehman Marri, who is granted bail by Sindh High Court Hyderabad circuit bench on health grounds in kidnapped case of his family members, kidnapped over a decade back in Jhuddo by alleged henchmen of Marri.

Another important factor which needs detailed investigation is of land of Sikandarbad hari camp itself that might have become bone of contention between different parties seemed to be interested in kidnapping case of Mannu Bheel’s family members. The camp is set up on government land in Jamshoro where haris, got released by Special Task Force of HRCP, were settled.