The case of a woman who was beaten and disrobed in public a few days back took a new turn on Saturday. The victim’s sister-in-law, whom the attacker’s family claimed had been abducted, appeared in court and absolved the victim’s family of all allegations.
Nazia Bibi appeared before the court of the local magistrate and stated that she had solemnized court marriage with Abdul Malik, the brother of Shirin Bibi* who was beaten and disrobed in public. She said that Malik, his sister and relatives had nor forced her to marry him, rather it was the joint decision of the couple.
She said that Malik had sent several proposals to her family, asking her hand in marriage, but her brothers turned down the requests even after she expressed her willingness to marry Malik.
Nazia added that her brothers had been threatening her of dire consequences if she did no leave Malik and return home. She sought the court’s help to provide her security.
The court, in response, directed the police to ensure security for Nazia.
Earlier, Nazia’s mother had filed a criminal case against Abdul Malik, his sister, brother-in-law and mother Mariyam Bibi under section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), accusing them of kidnapping her daughter.
But days before Nazia’s mother lodged the case, Shirin Bibi was beaten and dragged naked onto a street by Nazia’s brothers and counsins. She had maintained that the motive behind exposing her to public disgrace was the elopement of Nazia with her brother Malik.
Police registered a case against Nazia’s brother and cousins under section 354 of the PPC, under which they could be awarded the death penalty or imprisonment for life.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2012.
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