LHC appoints civil judge
ISLAMABAD: The minor maid’s torture case took a new turn on Thursday as the Lahore High Court appointed the civil judge Asim Hafeez as Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
The LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Amir Bhatti appointed Asim Hafeez as OSD in LHC Rawalpindi.
The registrar of the Lahore High Court issued notification on August 16, 2023..
According to the LHC’s notification, “The LHC Chief Justice and Judges are pleased to post Asim Hafeez, civil judge-cum-magistrate/awaiting posting, Lahore High Court, Lahore at Rawalpindi, against an existing vacancy as an officer on special duty (OSD) in the public interest.
The officer shall assume charge at his new place of posting on or before August 19, 2023.
Islamabad police to probe civil judge: LHC appoints civil judge as OSD
Meanwhile, the police officials investigating the abuse of a minor maid hinted at the arrest of Civil Judge Asim Hafeez for investigations under the Children Act.
According to the law, employing a minor itself constitutes a crime.
The investigators explained that Rizwana, the 14-year-old victim’s statement reveals the reality of the torture. They noted that the teenage victim has not yet been able to provide her decisive statement.
Last month, the case of alleged child abuse came to light when a minor girl employed as a domestic helper at the judge’s house, was brought to a hospital in Lahore with severe injuries. The parents of the victim claimed that the judge’s wife, Somia Asim, tortured their daughter.
“We have completed the investigation of the case. We will soon submit the challan to the court,” stated an investigating officer.
Police have also arrested an individual Chaudhry Mukhtar, named in the FIR. Mukhtar is a common acquaintance of both families involved in the case. He arranged a job for Rizwana at Somia’s house.
The investigators have collected evidence to prove that the civil judge hired the domestic maid. He used to transfer a monthly salary of Rs10,000 to her father’s account through EasyPaisa.
The police team is waiting for the victim’s recovery to record her vital statement.
The police had gathered evidence indicating that Somia had tortured the victim under the suspicion of stealing ornaments, although they couldn’t substantiate the allegation.
The investigation team had also thoroughly reviewed CCTV footage. The police are actively investigating various aspects of the case.
Police arrested Somia on August 7 after a local court revoked her bail in the case. She remains in judicial custody until August 22.
