Lawyers' strike: Hearing of petition against Geeta's 'unlawful detention' adjourned

This is the second time in two days that the hearing has been adjourned due to a strike by lawyers


Zubair Ashraf September 02, 2015
Geeta. PHOTO: FILE

The hearing of an application filed against Geeta’s ‘unlawful detention’ under section 552 was adjourned on Tuesday for a second time following a lawyers' strike in the wake of Abdul Hafeez Pirzada's death.

The hearing has now been adjourned till September 3.

The Indian girl, Geeta, along with her custodians, Faisal and Bilquis Edhi, was summoned by the district and sessions South judge, Ahmed Saba.

Read:Lost girl: Indian lawyer files petition against Geeta’s ‘unlawful detention’

An application has been filed by an Indian lawyer, Momin Malik, through Pakistani lawyers, under Section 552 of the criminal procedure code, which empowers the judge to compel restoration of abducted females. “Upon complaint made to a [sessions judge] on oath of the abduction or unlawful detention of a woman or of a female child under the age of 16 years, for any unlawful purpose, he may make an order for the immediate restoration of such woman to her liberty or of such female child to her husband, parent guardian or other person having the lawful charge of such child and may compel compliance with such order, using such force as may be necessary,” reads the law.

Geeta, an Indian mute and deaf girl has been stranded in Pakistan for the last 13 years. She was handed over to the Edhi Foundation by the Punjab Rangers when she crossed the border by mistake.

Read: Author of 1973 Constitution Abdul Hafeez Pirzada passes away

Regarding the application moved by the Indian lawyer, who says that his application was filed on humanitarian grounds, lawyer Shaukat Hayat said that the Indian lawyer’s application can be challenged, and his motive of wanting custody of Geeta can also be dismissed.

Earlier, the Indian girl, Geeta, along with her custodians, Faisal and Bilquis Edhi, were summoned by the district and sessions South judge, Ahmed Saba on Monday. However, the hearing was adjourned till Wednesday.

Regarding the application moved by the Indian lawyer, who says that his application was filed on humanitarian grounds, lawyer Shaukat Hayat said that the Indian lawyer’s application can be challenged, and his motive of wanting custody of Geeta can also be dismissed.

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