Karo-kari couple seeks protection | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Karo-kari couple seeks protection

KARACHI, Sept 23: Justice Salman Ansari of Sindh High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the district police officer of Larkana and 10 family members of a Hindu girl who married a man of her tribe against the wishes of her elders and was later declared a kari by an illegal Jirga.

Ms Raj Kumari and Rajesh Kumar moved the SHC through their counsel Javed Iqbal Burki of Aurat Foundation maintaining that their lives were in danger.Some influential people of their area, including political personalities, were interfering in their family dispute, the couple maintained. The petitioners belonged to the Oad tribe.

Their marriage was disapproved by their elders because they had entered into a matrimonial contract before a court of law. Later a Jirga was held which declared it a karo-kari case.

The counsel urged the court to provide protection to the newly-weds, residents of Naudero and Dera Murad Jamali.

The court after hearing initial arguments issued notices to the DPO of Larkana and 10 relatives of the girl, including Master Nanak, Gulshan Ram, Mithal, Anwar, Zulfiqar and others to appear in court on a date to be fixed later by the office of the court.
Source: Dawn
Date:9/24/2008