May 28, 2002	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 15,1423

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MULTAN, May 27: The Multan bench of Lahore High Court on Monday extended the interim bail of Roop Karim and her husband till June 10 in a hudood case lodged by her mother.

Roop and Sher Ali Gurchani had disappeared after contracting marriage in Dera Ghazi Khan on May 6 against the wishes of their parents. Girl’s mother Aziz Karim had lodged a case against Sher Ali for “kidnapping” her daughter at “gunpoint”.

However, the couple appeared before court on May 16 and informed it that they were adult and had solemnized ‘nikah’ at their own accord. Roop refuted her mother’s claim that Sher Ali had abducted her. The judge had granted them interim bail upto May 27, directing the couple to join the police investigation.

On Monday, the couple was present in court while complainant Aziz Karim, her sons and other daughters also turned up with their counsel to contest the case.

The complainant’s lawyers urged court to arrange a separate meeting of Roop with her mother, but she refused to meet her mother. The judge asked Roop thrice, but on every occasion her reply was in negative.

Upon this, court observed that it could not force her against her will. Later on, the counsel of Aziz Karim requested court to send Roop to the Darul Aman because “she is under pressure of Sher Ali and Gurchani chiefs.” Turning down their request, the judge allowed her to proceed with her husband.

Investigation officer informed court that the couple had joined the investigation while, nikahkhwan, who solemnized the marriage was also present in court to testify the bond.