SC transfers Tayyaba torture case to Islamabad High Court

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday transferred the Tayyaba torture case from the Supreme Court to the Islamabad High Court for further deliberations.

A three-judge bench of the apex court also asked the accused, deposed Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Raja Khurrum, to explain why he hired a minor girl as a house maid against a monthly salary.

The court also questioned the lower court that had initially dismissed the case and granted bail to Khurrum’s wife.

Tayyaba, who was allegedly tortured by Khurram’s family, was rescued from his house in Islamabad with visible wounds on Dec 28, 2016. A First Information Report was registered against him and his wife, Maheen Zafar, on Dec 29, 2016.

By Jan 2, the accused had signed a compromise deed with Tayyaba’s parents through their lawyer, Raja Zahoor Hassan, and obtained pre-arrest bail for his wife from fellow ADSJ Raja Asif Mehmood.

The apex court further said that the IHC would decide where the girl’s case would be heard next, and directed renowned lawyer Asma Jahangir, who is representing various non-governmental organisations involved in the case, to consult the high court on the matter.

The bench also ordered that Tayyaba be returned to Pakistan Sweet Homes in Islamabad.

CJP Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of the case on Dec 31 last year.

Source: Dawn