Lesbian marriage
falls apart; woman slits wrists in Indian court

A young woman from Batala, India, slit her wrists in a courtroom Thursday when her partner testified that she was coerced into their lesbian relationship, which they referred to as a marriage, reported the Times of India. Baljit Kaur is now recovering but has been placed under arrest for attempted suicide.

Baljit will be placed in judicial custody until July 19.

Rajwinder Kaur, 20, and Baljit Kaur, 21, ran away from their homes last month and exchanged vows in secret on June 3. They caused public controversy when they announced their union on June 15, reported the Times. They had considered emigrating to Canada.

Rajwinder's family tracked the girls to a women's home in Patiala, where they lodged a complaint against Baljit. They claim she enticed their daughter with promises of escape.

"She was cheated to get into this relationship by the promise of going to Canada," Rajwinder's father, Bir Singh, told Indian TV station IBN Live.

Baljit claims that Rajwinder's family forced her to testify against their relationship. "We are totally in love," she screamed before running from the courtroom on Thursday, reported IBN Live. In hysterics she slit her wrists to protest the proceedings. Police in the courtroom caught Baljit and administered first aid. (The Advocate)