Court grants physical remand of principal
Students stand outside their school in Gulshan-e-Hadeed after the institution was sealed on the directives of Sindh education minister. Photo: Express
The Judicial Magistrate Malir has remanded the accused, apprehended in connection with the harrowing case of alleged harassment of women at a private school in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, to police custody for seven days.
The accused, identified as Irfan Ghafoor, was produced before the court of the judicial magistrate at the Malir district courts on Tuesday.
The court asked the investigating officer (IO), "Who is Irfan, and has a statement been extracted from the accused?" In response, the IO emphasised the necessity of a thorough interrogation of the accused and the need to secure additional evidence.
Disturbingly, it has come to light that more than 45 affected women have been identified in connection with the case. Irfan has been accused of employing blackmail as a means to perpetrate these crimes.
The public prosecutor argued that this is symptomatic of a more extensive, orchestrated conspiracy. Following the comprehensive investigation of Irfan, more people implicated in this heinous operation are anticipated to face the long arm of the law. Additionally, the IO requested a forensic analysis of the mobile phone recovered from the accused.
The court approved seven-day physical remand for the accused and directed the IO to furnish a progress report at the next hearing.
School sealed
Additional Director of Registration for Private Institutions in Sindh Professor Rafia Javed has ordered the sealing of IGM Education System School. The action has been taken on the orders of Provincial Education Minister Madam Rana Hussain.
The primary concern was to safeguard the educational interests of the children who were enrolled in this school; therefore, nearby private educational institutions have been instructed to accommodate these students.
Professor Rafia has established a five-member committee which will work in collaboration with the parents to facilitate the admission of IGM Education System School students to nearby educational institutions. The committee is chaired by Abdul Sattar Memon, Director of Private Schools. The committee's Secretary is Gulab Rai, Deputy Director of Private Schools. The committee will be available on Sept 6, 2023 at 9am at Abdalien School in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Phase II.
Parents are encouraged to approach the committee to secure admissions for their children in alternative schools, ensuring that their education remains uninterrupted.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2023.