Father Of Child Actress In "Slumdog Millionaire" Arrested For Trying To Sell Her

[JamesG]

Slumdog Dad Arrested
20 April 2009 3:05 PM, PDT

The father of Slumdog Millionaire star Rubiana Ali has been arrested by cops investigating allegations he tried to sell his young daughter for $300,000 (£200,000).

Rafiq Qureshi, 36, was caught as part of a sting by British newspaper the News of the World, allegedly offering the nine year old to the highest bidder.


Qureshi was approached at his home in Mumbai, India by an undercover reporter, who claimed he was acting on behalf of a wealthy Arab sheik, who wanted to adopt the child.

Qureshi told the journalist, "We are considering Rubina's future. Obviously if you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. We are talking of around £50,000 for this to happen."

But, in a further call, he allegedly told the reporter he planned to sell his daughter to the highest bidder - and expected $300,000 (£200,000) from the sale.


On Monday Qureshi denied the allegations, insisting his daughter means more to him "than life itself".

But he has been arrested and quizzed for several hours by police in Mumbai, amid claims from Rubina's mother Khurshida that she knew about the sale two weeks ago.

Khurshida, who abandoned the family in 2001, says, "My elder daughter had informed me... I did not believe he would actually go through with it."

A police spokesperson tells British newspaper The Sun, "Khurshida was very upset by the media reports and she came to lodge a complaint. We are registering her grievance and then we'll investigate and decide what further steps should be taken in the matter.

"When we questioned Rubina she said she does not want to go anywhere and wants to live with her father."


Meanwhile, Slumdog Millionaire producer Christian Colson has revealed movie bosses are attempting to intervene in the scandal.

He says, "Our friends and colleagues in Mumbai are trying to speak with Mr Qureshi to get to the bottom of what happened."

-IMDB News

[browneyes106]

I saw this story on CNN earlier tonight. It is terrible that a father would do something like that but I feel sorry for a lot of child actors today.

[Hollow]

maybe i'm thinking of a different movie, but wasn't it another child actor from slumdog millionaire who got beaten by his father for avoiding the press?

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by safety pin

maybe i'm thinking of a different movie, but wasn't it another child actor from slumdog millionaire who got beaten by his father for avoiding the press?

Yep, both are from this movie.

[JamesG]

Police Find No Evidence Of Slumdog Dad's Intentions To Sell Actress
22 April 2009 12:15 PM, PDT

Indian police have failed to find any evidence to prove the father of Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali attempted to sell his young daughter for $300,000 (£200,000).

Rafiq Qureshi was quizzed by police in Mumbai, India after British newspaper News of the World alleged he offered to sell the nine-year-old to the highest bidder.

Rubina's mother Khurshida, who abandoned the family in 2001, claimed she learned of the sale two weeks ago and alerted police to investigate.

But local authorities have yet to uncover any proof to back up allegations Qureshi wanted to sell Ali.

A senior police officer in India tells Reuters, "So far there is no evidence of any offence, hence there is no registration of complaint and no arrest."

Qureshi continues to vehemently deny the claims, telling People.com the story was a "lie made up by foreign journalists playing games with me".

Meanwhile, producers of the Oscar-winning movie have stepped in to offer their help and have hired a social worker to care for the child actress.

They've also set up The Jai Ho Trust - named after a hit song from the film - for its young stars; the organisation is committed to providing living and education costs for the young cast members, most of whom live in poor Mumbai neighbourhoods.

-IMDB News

[JamesG]

Police Drop Slumdog Dad Investigation
24 April 2009 12:10 PM, PDT

The father of Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali has officially been cleared by Indian police over allegations he attempted to sell his young daughter.

Rafiq Qureshi was quizzed by police in Mumbai earlier this week after British newspaper News of the World alleged he offered to auction off the nine-year-old for $300,000 (£200,000).

Rubina's mother Khurshida, who abandoned the family in 2001, claimed she learned of the sale two weeks ago and alerted police to investigate.

Qureshi protested his innocence throughout the scandal, telling People.com the story was a "lie made up by foreign journalists playing games with me".

And authorities have failed to find any evidence to back up the claims - announcing on Thursday that they had dropped their investigation into the case.

Senior police inspector Rahim Shaikh says, "There is not any crime. The matter is closed. No money changed hands. Rubina is here. There is no crime."

-IMDB News