BAHAWALPUR, May 6: A young woman seeking to marry the man of her choice was shot dead by her relatives on a local court premises on Tuesday.

Rafia, 22, a resident of Sutlej Colony, appeared in the courtroom of a civil judge/judicial magistrate in an abduction case filed by her father Allah Ditta after she left her house to marry Rasheed

When the court was in session, her uncle Bilal, cousin Sher Muhammed, Fayyaz, Allah Wasaya and Aslam opened fire. She sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Bahawal Victoria Hospital in a precarious condition. Police arrested Bilal from the spot while others escaped. The firing caused a stampede in the court.

The accused reportedly chased Rafia and shot at her again outside the X-ray department of the BVH. The second attack claimed her life. Police later arrested Aslam.

Meanwhile, DPO Azhar Hameed Khokhar has recommended commendation certificates for policemen who arrested Bilal and Aslam. —Majeed Gill