KARACHI: On Tuesday, a judicial magistrate ordered the investigating officer to appear in court today, Wednesday, with full security surrounding her.
This decision was made following an application submitted by her alleged spouse, Zaheer Ahmed, in accordance with Section 17(2) of the Sindh Child Protection Authority (Amendment) Act of 2021 and Section 3 of the Juvenile Justice System Act of 2018.
His attorney, Amir Riyaz, contended that it was a legal necessity that once a child protection officer acquired possession of a child, the officer had a 24-hour window in which to bring the child before the closest court.
While granting the minor’s custody in Lahore, a judicial magistrate had also issued an order requiring her to appear in safe custody before the trial court in Karachi.
Zaheer Hussain, the attorney for the complainant, opposed the application.
The judge noted that it was unclear legally whether Dua, who had been transferred from Darul Aman, Lahore to the Child Protection Authority in accordance with court orders, had to appear before the trial court within the allotted timeframe or could do so after the case had already been scheduled for hearing.
