BADIN, Dec 1: A nine-year-old girl, Rani was reportedly sold in marriage for Rs50,000 by her father Khamiso Seenhro. However, her Rukhsati with the 40-year-old groom Haji Seenhro was aborted by the police raid who took into custody the bride, her father, Nikah Khwan Moulvi Basheer Soomro and two witnesses Khuda Bux and Ibrahim Seenhro.

According to reports, Khamiso Seenhro of Mohammad Seenhro village, taluka Badin arranged to marry his minor daughter with Haji Seenhro on Saturday evening.

Her Nikah was conducted by the Nikah Khwan Mohammad Basheer Soomro in the presence of two witnesses Khuda Bux and Ibrahim Seenhro. The Rukhsati was due on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ms Noorjehan, mother of the bride, in a written complaint to DPO Badin alleged that her husband Khamiso Seenhro had sold her daughter in marriage for Rs50,0000.

DPO Badin, Fida Hussain Mastoi directed the Nindo police to take action which raided the village on Monday and picked up the bride, her father, witnesses and the Moulvi, while the groom Haji Seenhro escaped.

Khamiso stated that he was separated from his wife who was living with her brothers because of a land dispute. According to a settlement made by the notables, out of their six children, three were to live with the mother and three with the father and Rani was living with him, he said.

Police after taking an undertaking from Rani’s father not to arrange Rukhsati till her puberty and as per her will under the Islamic law released all.

Khamiso denied of selling his daughter when enquired by the journalists.

Moulvi Basheer Soomro denied of knowing the age of girl as brides always remained veiled.

LAND: Some 2,3000 acres of land was distributed out of 5,400 acres available in the district among deserving women and male haris. This was disclosed by the DO and Revenue Officer Jawad on Monday.

He said that 123 acres of state land was distributed on Monday out of which 100 acres were distributed to females and 23 acres to male tenants in Golarchi.