DGK police save minor girl from being wedded to 45-year-old man as 'vani'

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Police raided a panchayat-ordered marriage between a 45-year-old man and a minor girl Tuesday night here in an area on the outskirts of the city.

Police said they carried out a raid in Qasba Pir Adil based on information they had received, leading them to recover an 11-year-old girl who was being wedded off to the 45-year-old man in accordance with a punishment sanctioned by a panchayat (court of tribal elders).

The girl's brother, it was discovered, was accused of eloping with a married woman, which was followed by the area's feudal lords congregating for an arbitration on the matter.

The panchayat, therefore, had decided that the girl would bear the punishment for her brother eloping with the woman and be married to the 45-year-old, who was from the family of the woman who had reportedly run away.

Timely action of the police allowed them to arrive just as the nikkah was taking place and officers, consequently, arrested the marriage officiator, witnesses, and the 45-year-old bridegroom.