False allegations?: MPA’s brother accused of forcibly marrying teenager

Girl says she eloped on her free will, presents marriage certificate in court.

MANSEHRA: A provincial minister’s brother has been accused of kidnapping and forcibly marrying a teenage girl who insists she eloped on her own will, police told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

City Police SHO Amjad Khan said Sohrab Khan, a resident of Ghazi Township, complained to the police his 17-year-old sister, Sana Bibi, a second-year student, had gone to attend classes as per her routine on June 25, but did not return home.



Sohrab said he and his family searched for her, but all their efforts were in vain. Sohrab claimed he was certain Sana had been kidnapped by Ashiq Hussain alias Kala, the younger brother of Minister for Environment Abrar Hussain Tanoli, along with the help of his accomplice Ali.

On Sohrab’s complaint, police registered a criminal case against 46-year-old Ashiq Hussain and Ali and raided their houses. The accused, however, were not present there.

On Wednesday morning, Hussain appeared before the court of judicial magistrate Lubna Zaman along with Sana Bibi, who recorded her statement. Sana said she liked Ashiq and had eloped with him on her free will. She added they solemnised their marriage in a court in Swabi.

Sana presented the couple’s marriage certificate to the court and requested the case against her husband be withdrawn. After recording her statement, Sana was allowed to leave with her husband who managed to obtain bail before arrest from the same court.

Meanwhile, Sana’s family has accused Hussain of blackmailing and misguiding the young girl.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2013.