A woman stoned to death outside LHC

Lahore: A 25-year-old pregnant woman was brutally beaten and stoned to death on Tuesday outside the high court here by her father and brothers for marrying the man of her choice. Old Anarkali police have registered the case and sent the body to city morgue for autopsy.SP Civillines Omra Riaz Cheema claimed that police was busy in raiding for the arrest of the accused.

Police said Farzana Iqbal, resident of Faisalabad, had married with her cousin Muhammad Iqbal of Jaranwala a few months ago against the wishes of her family.

The incident happened as the couple reached the court premises to record Farzana’s statement to defend her husband against allegations by her family that he kidnapped her and forced her to marry him.
Initially, the family members fired shots in the air and tried to snatch her from Iqbal.

After failing in their attempt, nearly 20 members of her family, including her father and brothers, attacked the couple with sticks and bricks before a crowd of onlookers in front of the high court of Lahore, said SP Civil Lines division Omar Riaz Cheema.

Farzana, who was three-months pregnant, died while her husband managed to escape.  Police arrested Farzana’s father but her brothers fled from the scene.

Police on information reaching the spot sent the body for autopsy and registered a case on the application of deceased’ husband Muhammad Iqbal.