IHC summons parents in Tyyaba torture case

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) hearing in the Tayyaba torture case has directed to produce her parents next date of hearing as there are discrepancies in the statements they recorded before the Supreme Court and an affidavit they submitted last date of hearing before IHC where they pardoned the accused.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC to ascertain the true perspective has directed the authorities to produce the parents on May 10 when their statements will be recorded in the light of their affidavits they submitted on April 28.

While hearing in this case on Friday, the IHC bench questioned “why state is silent against parents” of Tayyaba in this case.  Advocate General, Islamabad, Mian Abdur Rauf told the court that the statements of parents before the Supreme Court supported prosecution’s version. The IHC bench, however, observed that these statements do not support the prosecution version any more.

The advocate general also admitted the same that their recently submitted affidavits are not in line with their previous statements before the Supreme Court.

The IHC bench questioned the advocate general whether any legal obstacle could hamper the way if Tayyaba's parents enter into compromise with the suspects?  At which Mian Abdur Rauf said that the Supreme Court has become guardian of the victim girl in this case. January this year the Supreme Court had rejected the pardon granted by Tayyaba's parents and had exercised parental jurisdiction in the matter.

Legal counsel for the accused OSD Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife Maheen Zafar, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, said that under the alleged crime there can be reconciliation. An additional district & session judge (ADSJ) and now OSD Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife Maheen Zafar are accused in this matter for allegedly torturing a juvenile housemaid Tayyaba and keeping her in illegal confinement. Police registered a case against ADSJ and his wife under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including section 337 for injuring, 342 for illegal confinement and 506 for intimidation.