Human Trafficking Case
KARACHI: A local court in the metropolis Tuesday denied the bail petition of social worker Sarim Burney in the ongoing human trafficking case.
The decision, handed down by the court of Judicial Magistrate (East) Khaliq ul Zaman, followed the conclusion of arguments from both Burney’s lawyer and the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) counsel.
During the hearing, the FIA prosecutor informed the court that additional evidence is yet to be gathered against the suspect and expressed concerns that granting bail could impede the ongoing investigation.
The FIA counsel emphasized the continuous falsehoods allegedly propagated by the accused and highlighted further revelations made during the investigation process.
The FIA lawyer disclosed to the court that the mother of the baby girl named Haya had reached out to Burney in an attempt to reclaim her daughter but was reportedly denied assistance.
In response, Burney’s legal representation contended that the FIA had not conducted a thorough inquiry into the matter.
They argued that the parents who initially adopted the baby girl had entrusted her to the Sarim Burney Trust in accordance with legal adoption procedures.
Furthermore, Burney’s counsel asserted that despite allegations made by the FIA, no substantial evidence had been provided to support the accusations.
Over the weekend, Burney was remanded to judicial custody, with the court rejecting the FIA’s request for an extension of his physical remand.
The social worker, renowned for his Sarim Burney Welfare Trust International, was apprehended on June 5 upon his return from the US to Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
His arrest stemmed from charges including human trafficking, smuggling, and the illicit transfer of children to the US, following a complaint filed by American authorities.
Specifically, Burney is accused of smuggling a newborn girl named Haya to the US after purportedly purchasing her from her parents for Rs1 million.
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