Love marriage row sparks chaos in courtroom
Punjab Police. PHOTO: FILE
A young woman, who had contracted a love marriage, was allegedly beaten and abducted by her father with the help of armed 'lawyers' inside the Sessions Court and District Courts on Tuesday, forcing judges to suspend proceedings.
Police said Raheel, a resident of Fakhraabad, had married 25-year-old Iqra, against her family's wishes.
The couple had gone to the Sessions Court to record her statement, accompanied by Raheel's friends Umar and Nasir. At that time, Iqra's father Sabir, backed by a group of 'lawyers' including Advocate Aun Awan, Advocate Basharat, Waqar Ahmed, Abdul Rehman, Hamza Kalu, and others, attacked them.
The attackers reportedly beat Umar and Nasir, leaving them injured, before dragging Iqra and threatening her with weapons. Witnesses said armed 'lawyers' stormed into the Additional Sessions Judge's courtroom, brandishing guns, and forcibly pulled the couple outside. The incident triggered chaos and fear, leading judges to halt court proceedings. Security cameras recorded the episode.
Later, as the couple attempted to leave for the District Courts, they were intercepted again. This time, Iqra was allegedly abducted by her father Sabir, Advocate Aun Awan, and others including Talib Hussain, Sughran Bibi, Sarfraz, Muhammad Asif, Riaz, Hamza, Arslan, and Waqar Ahmed. Police said she was taken to a lawyer's chamber and subjected to further violence.
Armed men spread panic throughout the courthouse, forcing 'lawyers', clients, and staff into hiding.
A heavy police contingent led by SP Lyallpur Town Abid Zafar, DSP Civil Lines Amir Waheed, DSP Kotwali, and SHOs of Kotwali and Civil Lines police stations rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.
The victim was later recovered during a raid by a Kotwali police team led by SHO Malik Shahid.
Following the circulation of courtroom footage on social media, Lahore High Court Justice Aalia Neelum took suo motu notice, ordering senior police officers to submit a detailed report and take strict action against those responsible.