SHC Announces Verdict in Dua Zehra Case

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has announced its verdict in the Dua Zehra case, allowing the Karachi teenager to decide whether she wants to return home to her parents or go with her husband. According to the details, the court came to the decision that it was not a case of kidnapping.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar of the Sindh High Court (SHC), issued a written order in Dua Zehra case, the Karachi teenager who had gone missing from outside her home and was later found in Punjab.

In the written verdict, the SHC found that no evidence was found that Dua Zehra had been kidnapped and stopped authorities concerned from registering abduction cases. “In light of all the evidence, this is not a case of kidnapping.” said the court.

“…the alleged/minor Dua E Zahra Kazmi, pursuant to her statement on Oath and Age Certificate is set at liberty to decide as to whom she intends to reside and go along,” the order read. Furthermore, the court decided to dispose of Zehra’s father’s petition for her recovery as the case of this daughter was not of abduction.

The court also ordered the investigation officer (IO) to submit interim challan and medical record of Zehra. It added that it was the responsibility of the Sindh Government to produce Dua Zehra before the Lahore High Court (LHC). “The trial court will continue investigation as per the law in the case,” reads the verdict.

Medical Examination States Dua is 16 or 17 Years of Age

During today’s hearing, Dua Zehra, along with her husband, Zaheer Ahmed, appeared before the court after a medical examination which stated that she was between the age of 16 and 17 years. However, the parent’s counsel said that they wanted to present some documents as proof that she was in fact 14-years-old.

However, the SHC judge rejected the plea and said that the case pertains to her recovery and now the matter will be raised before the trail court, which allowed the parents to meet Dua Zehra for 10 minutes after which police took her along with them.

Dua Zehra Wants to Go Home With Parents

“We met our daughter in the chamber and she wanted to go with us,” the mother of Zehra said and added that they also asked the judge to take another statement from her but he refused. Meanwhile, the father also appeared before the judge and asked him to take her statement.

However, the court rejected the plea and said that the girl has given a statement on oath that she did not want to go with her parents. “The statement on oath has an importance and we cannot believe your words when the girl has given a written statement in this regard,” the court added.

Read more: Dua Zehra’s Husband Zaheer Ahmed in Protective Custody: Sindh Police.

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