ATTOCK: The husband of a newly-wed woman, who was shot dead by her brother Saturday night, claimed that his wife was killed for contracting court marriage, police said.

Ihtesham Sohail told the Attock Saddar police that he married Mehwish in a court on December 16 with mutual understanding but without the consent of her family.

Mr Sohail said his in-laws with the help of some notable figures convinced him to send Mehwish back so that they could wed her off in the traditional way. The woman was allowed to return home, where her brother (a police constable) killed her allegedly at the instigation of their mother.

The complainant also presented to the police copies of Nikahnama and photographs of their wedding ceremony as evidence. He said he was receiving life threats from his in-laws.

Sajjad, a duty officer at the Attock Saddar police station, told this reporter that Mr Sohail had not appeared before the police and he submitted the complaint about his wife’s murder through a relative. The police officer also said it was Ihtesham’s second marriage.

On Saturday, the police registered a murder case on the report of Mehwish’s mother, who narrated a different story.
Source: Dawn
Date:12/21/2009