Dua Zehra case: SC dismisses father’s plea, orders approaching concerned court

KARACHI: The Supreme Court (SC) Karachi Registry has dismissed the petition of Dua Zehra’s father Mehdi Kazmi after he sought withdrawal of his plea challenging the verdict of the Sindh High Court (SHC).

Dua Zehra’s father Mehdi Kazmi sought withdrawal of his plea challenging the SHC verdict in Dua Zehra recovery case. The three-member bench of the SC comprising Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard Kazmi’s petition today.

During the hearing, the SC judges questioned Dua Zehra’s meeting with her parents, the medical board and the SHC verdict on the girl’s recovery case.

To this, the father admitted that they were allowed to meet her for only five minutes in the presence of dozens of policemen. His lawyer admitted that Zehra’s medical examination was conducted over the court’s order.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the petitioner has challenged the medical board. The lawyer replied that they wrote a letter to the provincial health secretary.

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Justice Munib Akhtar remarked that the lawyer should not get emotional in the courtroom. “We respect you and you should assist the court on the legal points.” The lawyer said that the police declared the abduction case ‘C Class’.

Justice Sajjad Ali Shah remarked that the girl had given her statements before two courts that she was not abducted by anyone. He asked the lawyer to read Zehra’s statement which she gave before a two-member bench of the SHC.

Justice Akhtar questioned lawyer Jibran Nasir about the concerned court for challenging the marital cases. Justice Mazhar remarked that the marriage could be challenged in the family court.

The court also questioned Punjab’s child marriage act and arrested suspects in the case. The petitioner’s lawyer remarked that the nikahkhawan and a witness had been arrested.

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Justice Akhar remarked that the petitioner should move to the civil court if he is willing the get some relief. Justice Shah remarked that the court knew the parents’ condition but the girl married on her own choice and she has her rights as well. “You should meet the girl for six to eight hours from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to ascertain whether she is facing pressure or not.”

“What will you do if your daughter refuses to go with you. Your daughter said that she is happy.” The court later reserved the verdict.

Kazmi’s lawyer sought withdrawal of the petition. In its verdict, the SC dismissed the plea and ordered the petitioner to approach the concerned courts.

Lawyer Jibran Nasir told the media that they will approach the concerned court which is high court to order the provincial health secretary to form a medical board to ascertain the age of the girl. He announced filing a constitutional petition to the high court.

To a question, he said that the doctors will decide on whether the girl will be summoned to Karachi or not. Answering another question, he said that they did not discuss handing over the custody of Dua Zehra to her parents.