HYDERABAD, July 12: The Sindh High Court Hyderabad Circuit Bench on Friday issued notices to DPO Sanghar, SHO police station Tando Adam and eight other private respondents on a constitutional petition filed by a woman Ms Hoor, apprehending murder on the pretext of karo-kari. The court directed the respondent SHO to appear on 18th of this month, along with his statement.

The petitioner, represented by Shazia Umrani advocate, claimed that she married Mohammad Bux Junejo s/o Bachoo Junejo on June 30, of her own free will and consent. She also had an affidavit in this regard. She said that after ‘nikah’ she was living happily with her husband but annoyed private respondents hatched a conspiracy.

She said last week respondents called a jirga wherein it was decided that her husband Muhammad Bux Junejo would pay Rs5 lakh and give in marriage five girls, and on failure, the couple will be killed as karo-kari. She said that she was being coerced into seeking separation from her husband or face death. The couple were now apprehensive of the designs of private respondents.

The couple approached the DPO Sanghar but his staff didn’t allow them a meeting. They then approached the SHO who too, gave them cold shoulder. Since, they began residing in Hyderabad.

“I have not committed a crime by marrying the person of my choice - the right which Islam had given to women”, she said added: “Private respondents have deprived us of the right to live a normal life by constantly following us.”

She prayed the court to declare against law, holding of jirga and its verdict and announcing the couple as karo kari. She said respondent DPO and SHO should be directed to provide protection to their lives, honour and property.