SHC asks Arzoo Fatima’s parents to move family court for her custody

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday disposed of a petition through which it was requested that Arzoo Fatima – the Christian girl who converted to Islam and tied knot – should be handed over to her parents, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In this connection, the court ruled that the girl should herself file a petition in case she wanted to rejoin her parents. Similarly, they could move a family court for the matter as the SHC had not imposed any restrictions, it was added.

Meanwhile, the court also mentioned that Arzoo could meet anyone as there was no ban or constraints on interactions.

Her parents had argued that she won’t be looked after properly in Dar-ul-Aman (the government-run shelter home for women).

Earlier during the hearing, Jibran Nasir – the counsel for petitioners – said they wanted to file a guardianship case in family court and the SHC should pass an order that no ban had been imposed on heading her over to the parents.

At this, Justice Amjad Sehto intervened and asked whether they knew what a guardianship case was.

Explaining his point, he observed that the guardianship case is filed by one of the parties when there is a dispute between the parents.

Meanwhile, Justice KK Agha remarked whether the petitioners would withdraw their plea or the court should reject that.

On November 23, the same two-member bench headed by Justice KK Agha had ordered that Arzoo should be sent to Dar-ul-Aman after disposing of the case related to giving security to the newly-converted Muslim girl who refused to return to her parent’s home.

A prosecutor, presenting the argument in the court, said the case was about underage marriage, not adduction and the marriage registrar and some other accused had availed bail while two other nominated persons were on the run.

The investigation officer in the case had presented the report of a medical board constituted to determine the age of Arzoo that showed the girl was between 14 to 15 years of age.