District and Session judge hearing the case of a girl accused of blasphemy has delayed a bail hearing after a lawyer challenged a medical report putting the girl’s age at 14.
The case was heard in the court of district and session judge Islamabad Justice Jawad Abbas.
The court issued notices to the state and the complainant over the bail application.
The complainant’s lawyer said that the legal procedure was not being followed in the girl’s case who he said was being tried under the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (2000).
The complainant’s lawyer objected to the girl’s medical test saying that it was carried out before the court could have ordered one.
The lawyer for the girl disagreed and said that the test was conducted by a panel of eminent doctors.
A medical report submitted Tuesday put her age at 14, which makes her a minor. But a lawyer representing the man accusing the girl of burning the Quran challenged the report.
The girl belonging to the Christian community who is said to be suffering from Down’s Syndrome has been held since Aug 16 under the strict blasphemy laws, prompting concern from Western governments, the Vatican and rights groups.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to Sept 1.
A large number of people belonging to the Christian community, civil society and international media were present at the court’s premises.
Strict security measures were also employed on the occasion.
Blasphemy Case adjourned till Sept 1
