CJP orders speedy action on appeals in Tayyaba Torture Case

-Justice Nisar expresses disappointment over parliament’s failure to legislate laws against child violence

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday directed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to come to a conclusion on the appeals registered by Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife Maheen Zafar after they were handed a year-long prison sentence and Rs 50,000 fine each for inflicting torture on their child maid Tayyaba.

Nisar has set a week’s deadline for the matter of settling the appeals.

The husband-wife duo was found guilty of locking 10-year-old Tayyaba in a storeroom, burning her hand as punishment for a missing broom, beating her with a ladle, and threatening her of “dire consequences” under Section 328-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

“The evidence … tendered by the parties clearly shows that the accused persons neglected or wilfully harmed and abandoned Tayyaba, which resulted in harm to her or had the potential of causing harm, hence committing the offence as charged and the prosecution has proved the same beyond any shadow of doubt,” the judge had ruled while acquitting them of other charges.

However, the two convicts had managed to obtain bail against surety bonds of Rs50,000.

After the IHC’s verdict on April 17, the couple challenged the verdict on April 23 and the case was adjourned.

During the proceedings on Monday, the CJP expressed disappointment at the dissolved parliament’s failure to legislate to protect children from violence. “The parliament was supposed to legislate but it has completed its term,” he said. “The rights of children need to be safeguarded.”

After a pause, he said: “There is no need for new legislation as laws on the matter already exist. If the legislation that is already there can protect the rights of children then the [next] federal government should be ready,” he concluded.