Free-will marriage: Family assaults couple on LHC premises

Families of the boy and girl clash after the couple flees from court premises.

LAHORE: A couple who married out of love were forced to flee from the premises of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday as the girl’s family members assaulted them. Riaz and Aasma, belonging to Pakpattan, had eloped and married a month and 13 days back.

Aasma’s family had filed a writ in the Lahore High Court alleging that Riaz had abducted Aasma.

However, during today’s hearing, Aasma told the court that she was not abducted and that she had married Riaz of her own will. She also said that her family members were troubling the couple through different means.

The court ordered the investigation officer to get Aasma’s statements recorded.

As soon as the couple came out from the courtroom, Aasma’s mother dragged her by the arm and in an attempt to forcefully take her home. Riaz’s attempt to defend the girl angered the family, who assaulted the couple in retaliation.

After extricating herself from her mother, Aasma fled with Riaz from the court’s premises. This ignited a clash between the two families who were seen beating each other.