Wednesday, June 29 2005 20:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lucknow: Despite hue and cry by several women's organisations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh today (Jun 29, 2005) supported the edict in the Imrana case, saying the decision taken by the Muslim religious leaders must have been well thought.

"The decision of the Muslim religious leaders in the Imrana case must have been taken after a lot of thought," Yadav told reporters in Lucknow.

"The religious leaders are all very learned and they understand the Muslim community and its sentiments," he said.

The Chief Minister added that till he had the full details of the case, he would not like to comment on it.

Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband had passed the 'fatwa' that the 28-year-old woman in Muzaffarnagar could no longer live with her husband as she has been raped by her father-in-law.

Several women's groups have demanded intervention of the UP Government in Imrana's case.

The State Women's Commission has written to the Chief Minister requesting his intervention in granting Imrana permission to stay with her husband and stern action against her father-in-law.