Tayyaba torture case: SC directs IHC to announce verdict within a week

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Monday directed Islamabad High Court (IHC) to announce a decision on the appeals of accused in Tayyaba torture case within a week.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar passed the directions while hearing suo moto notice regarding below 12 years of age child torture case.

During course of proceedings, Advocate General Islamabad informed Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar that the accused had been handed over sentences, however, a decision on their appeals was yet pending in IHC.

CJP remarked that government had to implement laws to prevent incidents of torture of child maids, however, it could not do any thing solid in that regard.

He added that laws were already in place but there was need for implementation in letter and spirit.

Subsequently the bench sought reply from the interim government on the protection of children’s rights, while calling notification issued on the existing law.

It is pertinent to mention here that the suspended additional and sessions judge Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife were sentenced to a year each in prison for torturing the child maid under Section 328-A (cruelty to a child).

The two were also fined Rs50,000 each for the crime of employing an underage (below 12 years of age) child. Subsequently, in April, suspended Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife Maheen Zafar challenged their year-long imprisonment in IHC.

Later, on January 3, 2017, Tayyaba's parents reached a compromise and forgave the accused.