Hyderabad, India – In a shocking case of alleged domestic abuse and betrayal, a 25-year-old woman from Hyderabad has sought urgent help from External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, accusing her husband, a Chicago Police Department officer, of mental harassment, physical assault, and abandoning her in India after confiscating her travel documents.
The woman, Hana Ahmed Khan, detailed her ordeal in a formal letter addressed to EAM Jaishankar on 22 August 2024, pleading for intervention to secure justice and the return of her passport and other essential documents.
Marriage Turns Into Nightmare
According to Hana, she married Mohammed Zain Uddin, a US national and serving officer with the Chicago Police Department, on 22 June 2022 in Hyderabad. However, shortly after the wedding, Zain returned to the United States, leaving Hana in India and delaying her relocation for almost two years.
Hana finally traveled to the US on 17 February 2024, hopeful about starting a new life. But what awaited her was far from what she had imagined.
“Unfortunately, upon my arrival, I was subjected to emotional abuse, physical harassment, and mental torture. Despite these challenges, I tried to remain hopeful that things would get better, but the mistreatment only continued,” Hana wrote in her letter to EAM Jaishankar, as reported by NDTV.
Allegations of Assault and Police Inaction
Hana claimed that on one occasion, after being physically assaulted by her husband, she contacted local authorities in Chicago for help.
However, she alleged that the matter was dismissed casually, with the police letting Zain off with just a warning.
“Even though I reached out to the police, there was no serious action taken against him,” she stated.
Adding to her distress, Hana alleged that Zain coerced her into initiating divorce proceedings, putting immense emotional pressure on her.
Ordeal During Trip to India
In what Hana believed to be a step toward reconciliation, Zain suggested they take a trip to India and perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia. Hoping to mend their relationship, Hana agreed.
However, events took a sinister turn soon after. Hana recounted that during a short visit to her family in Hyderabad, she received a disturbing call from hotel management.
“They informed me that my luggage had been removed from the room and that my husband had checked out and left for the airport without informing me,” Hana said.
When she rushed back, she discovered that her passport, green card, personal jewelry, and other important belongings were missing.
“I was left stranded with no legal documents or means to travel. My husband abandoned me and went back to the United States,” she alleged.
Appeal for Justice
Hana is now appealing to the Government of India and EAM Jaishankar to help her retrieve her documents and ensure action is taken against her husband.
Her case highlights the growing concerns over domestic abuse in cross-border marriages and the difficulties faced by victims when incidents occur across international jurisdictions.
The External Affairs Ministry is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
Key Details at a Glance
- Victim: Hana Ahmed Khan, 25, Hyderabad
- Accused: Mohammed Zain Uddin, Chicago Police Department officer
- Marriage Date: 22 June 2022 (Hyderabad)
- Travel to US: 17 February 2024
- Complaint Letter Date: 22 August 2024
- Allegations: Physical assault, emotional abuse, coercion into divorce, confiscation of passport and green card, abandonment
Next Steps
The case has stirred attention both in India and among the Indian diaspora in the US. Advocacy groups are calling for:
- Swift intervention by the Indian government to retrieve Hana’s documents.
- Legal assistance to pursue charges against the accused in both India and the US.
- Protection for women entering international marriages through stricter laws and monitoring mechanisms.