Alleged kidnapping case: Couple says it was a free-will marriage

Rajput argues that Rida is under 18 years of age so she cannot marry of her own free will.

SUKKUR: The Sindh High Court, Sukkur bench, headed by Justice Tufail G Ibrahim, has directed a petitioner’s lawyer to produce eyewitnesses and evidence against the police in court on February 7 in a free-will marriage case.

Nasir Jameel through his lawyer Zubair Ahmed Rajput has filed a constitutional petition against Jehanzaib Shahani, alleging that he and his accomplices raided Jameel’s house and kidnapped his daughter, Rida, at gunpoint on January 18.

The FIR of the case was registered at the Rohri police station on January 19, in which Jehanzaib Shahani and his father Afroze Shahani - head constable at Jhangro police station - are nominated.

During Friday’s hearing, Rohri DSP Mushtaq Shah, SHO Tahir Mughal and investigation officer Jawed Abro appeared in court and produced documents, according to which, Rida and Jehanzaib had appeared before the SHC Larkana circuit bench on January 24 and stated that they had married on their own free will.

Objecting to the police’s statement, Rajput pointed out  that Rida is under 18 years of age and so she could not marry of her own free will and the court should have sent her to a Darul Aman.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2011.