Misbah's flat-mates thrown out for supporting her

MUMBAI: While media professional Misbah Quadri (25) hit the headlines earlier this week after she accused a broker of forcing her out of a flat as she was Muslim, her two flat-mates have paid the price for standing by her.
While Quadri eventually left the flat in a Wadala housing society, her flat-mates were allegedly thrown out for sharing the flat with a Muslim. "It has been very hard for us. We did not anticipate the repercussions of standing by Misbah. Not only were we told to leave the flat but the deposit we paid while renting the house has not been returned.

But it's good that her story is out in the public domain," one of her flat-mates said. Though Quadri did not know the girls with whom she was set to rent a flat, she credited them for supporting her when the broker allegedly threatened to throw her belongings out of the flat if she did not leave. Quadri will write to Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Ma ria about the matter.

Meanwhile, Quadri's broker told TOI that he had been advised not to speak to the press, and had recorded his statement with the police. "I do not want to hurt anyone's sentiments," he said. "If you own a place and I am the broker, do you decide who you would allow in the flat or do I?" he asked by way of an explanation over what had transpired.

Delhi lawyer Shehzad Poonawalla had filed a case with the National Commission for Minorities on the matter on Wednesday. "We received the petition and have sent it to the chief secretary, Government of Maharashtra, for immediate comment, and have told them to file a status report," NCM director Naseem Ahmad said.