Back home the family members of the boy have been going through hell. They are facing tremendous pressure from the police, ever since the couple eloped. It all started when Gowher Rasool Vaid, a contractor by profession from a small town, Bijbehara managed to run with his beloved Massarat Amin, a medical student to solemnise a marriage in the court of 1st Additional Munsiff (Forest Magistrate) Jammu on September 28, despite stiff opposition and against the wishes of Massarat's family.

Massarat's parents, who are said to have good connections in the state's bureaucracy used their influence and complained against Gowher of abducting Massarat. Subsequently they lodged First Information Report (FIR) regarding Massarat's abduction at Police Station Anantnag.

The police who denied the elopement angle swung into action and arrested 12 including family members and friends of Gowher to get inputs leading to trace the couple. According to Gowher's family, police is under pressure from the girl's family, who is well connected in the state bureaucracy.

Police have unleashed a reign of terror on Gowher's family and his friend circle. They have been picking everyone whosoever comes in their way to build the pressure on family to handover the couple to them.

Gowher's mother, his younger brother, his pregnant sister, brother-in-law, aged grandfather and a domestic help were detained in police station citing charges of abduction on Gowher and his family under section 109 of RPC.

"Gowher has eloped with the girl with her wishes, now what can we do with it," a family source said.

Unable to persuade the police officials, Gowher's family with the help of their neighbours had to visit Srinagar - to protest the police harassment and the way of investigation – at Mushtaq Enclave in the Press Colony, to get heard in the echelons of power.

The family even asked for intervention of Chief Minister in the matter to relieve itself from the police pressure.

"I had to take the extreme step to save myself and Massarat from the clutches of her family. The police is unnecessarily harassing my family members," said Gowher, who is nowadays staying in Delhi.

Brushing aside the allegations of abduction Gowher says that Massarat has come along with him as per her wishes and is by his side in this difficult time.

"I am an educated girl and none, not even my parents can influence me. I have solemnised the marriage as per Muslim Law and in the court of Law. My family should avoid confrontation with Gowher's family," said Massarat, who is staying with Gowher.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag, Abdul Gani Mir however believes that since both boy and girl are mature enough, their hiding raises questions.

"Girl's family has registered a case of abduction and we are duty bound to investigate the matter. Now if they have solemnised marriage they should come forward," Mir said.

Both Gowher and Massarat have their own fears that their marriage won't be accepted and that police may put Gowher under pressure.

Until the matter gets resolved and Massarat's family gets convinced, the couple had to pay the high price for their decision that went against the family wishes.