Acid burn victim moves apex court to transfer her case to ATC

Victim was 19-year-old college student when attacked on Karachi's Abul Hassan Ispahani Road in 2015


Hasnaat Malik May 29, 2018
The bench has observed that there is no legislation in the province of Sindh that an acid burn victim's case would be taken up by the ATC. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

ISLAMABAD: A female acid burn victim has approached the Supreme Court to transfer her case to an anti terrorism court (ATC).

The two judge bench, headed by Justice Faisal Arab on Tuesday took up Raheela Rahim's plea who was allegedly attacked by police constable Zeeshan alias Ali while returning home from a beauty salon in Karachi.

Zeeshan, who at the time of attack posted at the Boat Basin police station, threw acid on Raheela, who was accompanied by her brother Jan Muhammad and nephew Hadi on Abul Hassan Ispahani Road back in July of 2015.

The victim was 19 years old and studying in second year of college at the time of attack.

The assailant, who was her ex-fiancé was enraged over her refusal to accept her marriage proposal.

The victim is still facing life threatening injuries and has been transferred to Islamabad.

She has also been unable to continue further education after the attack severely damaged her face.

The bench has observed that there is no legislation in Sindh that an acid burn victim's case would be taken up by the ATC.

Sindh government hands over Sehwan attack case to ATC

The court, however noted that the Punjab government has added an a clause of the ATA in the offence of throwing acid on girls.

Moreover, the court has also appointed the former deputy attorney general Dil Muhammad Zae as amicus in this case for legal assistance.

During the hearing, victim appeared before the bench and posed a question saying, "what was my crime I was a student when he threw acid on me."

The girl said that the accused is still earning a salary from the Sindh police. The hearing of case is adjourned for an indefinite period

Meanwhile, Dil Muhammad Zae advocate while talking to the media stated that he would recommend the apex court to try this case in ATC as same is the pray of victim.

According to the case record, an FIR was registered at the Mubina Town police station on the complaint of the girl’s father, Abdur Rahim.

The family had ended the engagement after finding out about Zeeshan’s dubious character.

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