The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed police to take three Hindu girls who embraced Islam to places of their own choice and provide them full security.
A three-member bench of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez ordered this while hearing a petition coupled with civil applications filed by Pakistan Hindu Council, making Pakistan through the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry as respondents.
The police produced the girls before the court. After hearing the counsel for the petitioners and the respondents in the case, the court held that the girls were sui juris and were fully in a position to decide about their future. The court noted that the girls had been provided pressure free atmosphere and neither the parties were allowed to meet them.
Comdr Shaukat, Sain Rakhio Mirani and Dr Ameer Sheikh, DIGs of Karachi (South), Larkana and Sukkur, respectively, along with other police officials also appeared before the court on notice.
The court directed the Karachi (South) DIG and Sukkur DIG to take the two ladies in safe custody to the places of their own choice and wherever they wanted to stay.
The court further directed the two DIGs to provide protection to the ladies in terms of Article 9 of the constitution, as it was the duty of the state to provide them protection.
The court in its short order said that Ms Aasha, who after conversion to Islam was known as Haleema Bibi, belonged to District Jacobabad and she was also a sui juris and could not be compelled to accompany someone against her wishes.
The court directed Sain Rakhio Mirani, the Larkana DIG, to take Ms Aasha in safe custody to the place of her own choice because Jacobabad district also fell within the Larkana range and provide her protection.
The court noted that the matter to the extent of these ladies stood disposed of. However, the court adjourned the main case to a date to be fixed after two weeks for filing of reply of the petitioner.
The court also directed the police officers take the ladies to the Registrar’s Office and in his presence, willingness of the ladies regarding the places of their choice and they be taken to those places accordingly.
The court further directed the police officers to submit their reports, about the places where the ladies wanted to go, to the registrar by today (Thursday).
The court also directed the police officers that after Thursday, they would be required to continue submitting fortnightly reports over the matter.
On the last hearing held on March 26, 2012, Ms Rinkle Kumari and Dr Lata, who have been named Faryal Bibi and Dr Hifza, respectively, after their conversion to Islam were produced before the court.
The court after observing certain proceedings, had allowed both the ladies to stay in PANAH Shelter House, Karachi, being maintained by Majida Rizvi, a former judge of the Sindh High Court, with a view to provide them pressure free atmosphere, and being adult, to decide about their future.
Is that we had to hear after such a hustle and bustle, and spending a handsome amount on the case. Mr. CJ, Stop behaving like a village police station SHO. This could have been done locally at very low level.
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