Harassment of woman: SC orders probe | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Harassment of woman: SC orders probe

ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the district and sessions judge Malir, Karachi, to probe the alleged harassment of a woman by the taluka nazim of Kunri in Umarkot district and submit a report within four weeks. The bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi, adjourned the proceedings till November 27.

The district police officer of Umarkot submitted a report on the alleged harassment of Nadra Parveen by the taluka nazim. The court, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the report and rejected it. The taluka nazim told the court that one Iqbal Khaskheli had to visit the house of the complainant, which was objected to by the neighbours. The nazim said once he had formed a jirga and decided the matter in 2004, after that Nadra started blaming him.

He also contended that the character of the woman was somewhat doubtful. On this, the chief justice said, “Mr nazim the woman has levelled serious allegations against you and you have not yet been arrested by the police because you are an influential person.” Deputy attorney general Naheeda Mehboob Elahi told the court that the woman had hired a room in a local hotel, however after October 25 she would be shifted to a crisis centre. Advocate general Sindh Anwar Mansoor also appeared before the court. In her application, Ms Nadra had alleged that the taluka nazim was trying to abduct her daughters. She alleged that the accused also asked her to come to him along with her young daughters, and was using police to pressurise her. On last hearing, the complainant had appeared before the court along with her three young daughters studying in class 9, 7 and a junior grade. She alleged that the cohorts of the nazim teased her daughters on their way to school and made obnoxious remarks.–PPI
Source: Dawn
Date:10/18/2006