Unexpected end: Groom kills himself after bride goes back home

ABBOTABAD:

Just two days after marrying his first cousin in court, a man was found dead with a bullet wound in his chest. The police are still ascertaining whether this is a case of suicide or murder.

Sherwan police quoted Mir Afzal of Tandhara Village who said his son Abdul Raheem, 28, was engaged to his first cousin. However, the engagement was broken off after the families developed some differences. Regardless, the couple were determined to go ahead with the wedding and ended up marrying in court on April 9.

When he brought his bride home, Raheem faced criticism from his family for violating certain traditions, said Mir Afzal. He added the girl was sent back to her home with a promise that the couple would have a proper wedding.

The father said the decision left the groom disheartened and he went to his room and shot himself in the chest with a 12 bore shotgun. He died before getting any medical assistance, added the complainant.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2015.