13 people arrested in case of forced marriage
Jirga members taken into custody; FIR registered against incident
Jirga members taken into custody; FIR registered against incident. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MINGORA:
An FIR has been registered against 13 people, including members of a jirga, in Swat for allegedly resolving a long-standing dispute between rival families through swara. This is a custom of forcibly marrying girls of rival families to settle disputes
“The police received a tip-off, reached the spot and successfully foiled the plot,” Tariq said. “The elders were trying to implement the illicit custom of swara.”
According to the official, 13 people were taken into custody. “These included jirga elders and relatives from either side of rival families,” he added.
Tariq added an FIR was also registered against the incident soon after the arrests were made.
Root of the matter
As per the official, Abdullah, Sabiha’s brother, eloped with Darya Khan’s daughter two months ago.
“Since then, Darya Khan has been appealing to elders of Gornai to convene a jirga and ensure justice,” he said. “The Jirga decided to resolve the matter through swara.”
This is the third such case to surface from the district since January.
Punitive
Hamza Iqbal, a lawyer in the district courts, told The Express Tribune swara is a punishable offence and the courts can sentence people to 10 years in prison and impose a heavy fine in such cases.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2016.
An FIR has been registered against 13 people, including members of a jirga, in Swat for allegedly resolving a long-standing dispute between rival families through swara. This is a custom of forcibly marrying girls of rival families to settle disputes
“The police received a tip-off, reached the spot and successfully foiled the plot,” Tariq said. “The elders were trying to implement the illicit custom of swara.”
According to the official, 13 people were taken into custody. “These included jirga elders and relatives from either side of rival families,” he added.
Tariq added an FIR was also registered against the incident soon after the arrests were made.
Root of the matter
As per the official, Abdullah, Sabiha’s brother, eloped with Darya Khan’s daughter two months ago.
“Since then, Darya Khan has been appealing to elders of Gornai to convene a jirga and ensure justice,” he said. “The Jirga decided to resolve the matter through swara.”
This is the third such case to surface from the district since January.
Punitive
Hamza Iqbal, a lawyer in the district courts, told The Express Tribune swara is a punishable offence and the courts can sentence people to 10 years in prison and impose a heavy fine in such cases.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2016.