SAHIWAL: Special Judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court Ziaulalh Khan has sentenced a man to rigorous life imprisonment and a fine of Rs1 million for murdering his daughter-in-law on the premises of the District Courts, Pakpattan, on Feb 3, 2024.

Tehrim was shot by her father-in-law Shah Nawaz Wattoo, 47, because she did not follow his instruction while recording her statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

During her statement, Tehrim claimed that she had been kidnapped and forcibly married to Shah Nawaz’s son Hameed Wattoo.

According to reports, Tehrim had eloped and married Hameed Wattoo, a resident of village 60/SP, Pakpattan. Her parents tried to bring her back through the local Panchayat but failed and subsequently filed a kidnapping case against Shah Nawaz Wattoo and his son.

When Tehrim was called to court to record her statement, she denied her love marriage and supported her parents’ claim by stating that she had been kidnapped by Shah Nawaz and his son. As she left the courtroom after recording her statement, Shah Nawaz shot her dead within the court premises and managed to escape from the scene.

Faridnagar Police Station registered a murder case 85/24 under PPC 302/34 and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 against Shah Nawaz Wattoo, based on a complaint from Tehrim’s father.

The judge ordered that half of the fine (Rs 500,000) be given to legal heirs of Tehrim.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2024