PESHAWAR, June 6: A local court on Wednesday dismissed bail petition of a person charged with marrying a minor girl by paying bride money to her uncle and keeping her chained his residence for many months.

The court of judicial magistrate Zafarullah Khan pronounced that keeping in view the available evidence on record the petitioner, Zarmeen shah, did not deserve to be set free on bail.

On the order of the court the alleged victim, 13-year-old Ramsha, has presently been residing at the Women Crisis Centre. She was recovered last month from residence of the petitioner by the local police.

An FIR was registered against the accused at Daudzai police station on May 24 under several sections of Pakistan Penal Code including section 366-A (procuring of minor girl for illicit intercourse), Section 375 and 376 (rape with a girl under 16), 343 and 344 (illegal confinement).

The alleged victim was carrying marks on her ankles as she was constantly chained during last many months.

The girl had informed police after her recovery that she was residing with her parents in Islamabad where her father was a driver.—Bureau Report

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