A man of 44-years of age is charged with the alleged kidnapping, a forced conversion, and marrying to a young girl Arzoo. The medical board that was set up by the Sindh High Court (SHC) on last Monday has finally now confirmed that the girl Arzoo is actually between the 14-15 years.
The SHC on demanded that the provincial home secretary to form a medical board to establish the abducted christian girl Arzoo’s age.
Arzoo’s father had filed an FIR on October 13 claiming that his daughter was kidnapped from her own home. Her parents had also filed a petition in the District South judicial magistrate. They requested the court to order the police to get the girl back and produce her in front of the court.
13-yr-old Christian girl Arzoo Raja is kidnapped in Karachi,converted & married to a 44-yr-old man.A court, on basis of affidavit signed under duress, sent her with him, despite docs confirming her age.Many even celebrate.Who'll take us seriously when we're drenched in hypocrisy? pic.twitter.com/uh22zxM7vD
— Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) October 29, 2020
After the complaint was launched, the police have now arrested Azhar’s brothers, Syed Shariq Ali and Syed Mohsin Ali. As well as his friend, Danish, for allegedly kidnapping the girl.
Also Read: All You Should Know About The Unfortunate Case Of A 13-Year-Old Girl
A two-member bench was also formed that was comprised of the Justice KK Agha and the Justice Amjad Ali Sahito. They heard a set of petitions that were filed regarding the matter. During the hearings,the counsel for Arzoo wanted nullifying of an FIR that was registered against her alleged husband for her abduction, forced conversion, and marriage to the young girl.
During the hearing on Monday, Raja repeatd that the girl had not been abducted and that she had willingly married Azhar after willingly converting to Islam.
The medical board set up by SHC has declared Arzoo a minor girl:
The SHC bench has observed that according to the medical board report, Arzoo is between 14-15 years of age while the National Database and Registration Authority record shows her to be 13 years old.
#ArzooRaja case update! Medical test proves Arzoo is around 14 yrs. Court recognizes NADRA docs stating Arzoo's age to be 13 as true. Declares prima facie she contracted child marriage. Arzoo to remain in shelter home till next hearing. Parents' comments: https://t.co/5QXRSBA7lr
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) November 9, 2020
According to the famous lawyer Jibran Nasir, who is part of the legal team that is defending the case on for Arzoo’s parents, the SHC has now also recognized NADRA (National Database & Registration Authority) documents declaring Arzoo’s age to be 13 as factual.
In his tweet, Nasir has added that the court has not disposed off the petition yet whilst the next hearing is scheduled after two weeks.
#ArzooRaja case update! Medical test proves Arzoo is around 14 yrs. Court recognizes NADRA docs stating Arzoo's age to be 13 as true. Declares prima facie she contracted child marriage. Arzoo to remain in shelter home till next hearing. Parents' comments: https://t.co/5QXRSBA7lr
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) November 9, 2020
In addition to this, the bench has directed the authorities to move Arzoo into a shelter home. It will allow a meeting with the girl of the people only the girl will allow. The hearing has now been adjourned till November 23.
The 44-year-old man that was accused of the abduction was arrested by the Anti-Violent Crime Cell in Karachi last week on Monday.
