ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar resumed hearing of the Tayyaba torture case on Wednesday (today).
The chief justice in his remarks said that there was no doubt that a criminal offence had been committed. “A challan should be submitted and the trial should begin in the case. How can we stop this evil practice in the society,” the CJ remarked.
“An innocent girl was forced to work by her parents. Does it not count as bonded labour?” the CJ asked.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that this case involved child labour, child abuse and the role of parents.
The chief justice observed that agreement of Tayyaba’s father with the accused judge and his wife could not be accepted. “Her father has said in his statement that he had not made any agreement with the accused, so how can we accept this settlement?”
The chief justice ordered the court to submit a challan and stated that the court had provided a gap of 10 days for investigation pertaining to Tayyaba’s case.
Police responded that it would take a couple of more days to complete the investigation. Police claimed that 2-3 days would be taken to submit the DNA report.
The hearing has been adjourned till January 25.
Tayyaba was present to attend the hearing of the case along with her parents Azam and Nusrat while the accused additional sessions judge, Judge Raja Khurram Ali’s wife Maheen did not present herself before the court.
Read more: DNA report resolves puzzle about Tayyaba’s biological parents