TOBA TEK SINGH, May 23: A man who had eloped with the woman of Chak 725-GB appeared before a Lahore High Court (LHC) judge on Friday and contracted court marriage.

Their elopement was followed by a village council or Punchayat-led vani marriage wherein eight-year-old Rehana was married with Saleem, 35, to compensate the elopement. The uncle of Rehana, Falak Sher, eloped with Nasim Bibi, the sister of Saleem.

Dawn learnt Falak Sher and Nasim appeared before LHC Justice Khurshid Bhinder to state they had contracted marriage but police were harassing them as Nasim’s family was opposed to the marriage.

The LHC directed Kamalia Saddar police not to harass the couple. The couple, however, is still in hiding because of threats.

Falak Sher’s family alleges Shah was harassing them. They say Shah was the brother of a deceased proclaimed offender who had been killed in an encounter.

When contacted, District Police Officer Riaz Nazir Garra claimed that six accused in the case had already been arrested while a team had been set up to arrest Aftab Shah.

He added that complete security would be provided to the family. He said it was the first vani case in the district.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/24/2008