Islamabad (Staff report): The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered authorities concerned to gather evidence in alleged torture of a minor domestic worker, Tayyaba, by Feb 15.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar rejected an out-of-court settlement between the two accused ─ Tayyaba's employers who allegedly tortured her ─ and her parents, saying that as the case is ongoing, the agreement "lacks merit".
The case of 10-year-old Tayyaba, a domestic worker at the home of former additional district and sessions judge Raja Khurram Ali and his wife Maheen, first came to light after photos of the child depicting alleged torture by her employers began circulating on social media.
Raja Khurram reached a compromise with Tayyaba's parents on Jan 2, 2017, and a day later the child was handed over to her parents. On Jan 4, however, the apex court took suo motu notice of the matter and directed police to investigate all aspects of the case.