KARACHI: A district and sessions court on Thursday turned down applications moved by the family of an underage Christian girl who reportedly converted to Islam and contracted a free-will marriage, seeking transfer of the case to another court.

Raja Masih, father of 13-year-old Arzoo, filed identical applications before the district and sessions judge (South) and sought transfer of the matters related to the case pending before the additional district and sessions judge South to another court.

The applicant alleged that the sessions judge had displayed bias and prejudice against the prosecution story, society and incidents pertaining to abduction of girls. After hearing both sides, the district judge dismissed the applications

On Oct 29, the court granted bail to three suspects, two brothers Syed Mohsin Ali, Syed Shariq Ali and a friend Danish of main accused Syed Ali Azhar, the alleged husband of Arzoo, in underage marriage case.

The SHC had sent Arzoo to a shelter home since she was found underage. She also refused to go to her parents’ home.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2020