Judge’s Wife Allegedly Brutalizes Child; National Assembly Demands Removal
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights has called for the removal of a judge whose wife allegedly brutalized a minor child in Sargodha. The committee, chaired by Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, was briefed on the incident by the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC).
According to the NCRC chairperson, the child, who worked as a maid in the judge’s house, was purportedly subjected to torture by the judge’s spouse. The incident came to light on July 26 when it was reported by the media. Initially, the first information report (FIR) was weak, but it was subsequently strengthened based on the medico-legal report.
The Islamabad police chief supported the NCRC chairman’s statement. The committee chairperson, referring to various articles of the Constitution, stated that this incident was a clear violation of human rights and those responsible should be held accountable with maximum punishment.
The committee urged the Ministry of Law and Justice to take action against the judge in accordance with the judicial code of conduct. They demanded that all possible measures be taken for penal action against the civil judge, with a report submitted to the committee.
In order to ensure an impartial inquiry, the committee directed the Islamabad deputy inspector general to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report promptly, without succumbing to any external pressures.
Additionally, the committee instructed the Human Rights Ministry to provide their opinion on a draft policy prepared by the NCRC at the upcoming meeting on August 7.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz, Senior Vice President of the PML-N, visited Rizwana, the victim of the incident, at the Lahore General Hospital. Expressing her concern over Rizwana’s deteriorating condition, Maryam highlighted the severity of her injuries, including acid burns, broken arms, smashed teeth, and other visible wounds. The young girl revealed that she had been beaten with sticks and her head had been forcibly slammed against a wall.
Maryam emphasized the importance of protecting and ensuring the education and upbringing of children, stating that it was painful to know that many victims like Rizwana suffer in silence out of fear.
Rizwana, a housemaid employed by a civil judge, was admitted to Sargodha’s District Headquarters Hospital in critical condition. She had sustained injuries to her face, head, and body, allegedly caused by a blunt weapon. Burn marks were also observed on her body. Due to the severity of her condition, she was later transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Lahore General Hospital, where doctors expressed concerns about her life.
The case has sparked outrage and demands for justice, with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights calling for the removal of the judge implicated in the incident. It remains to be seen how authorities will respond and what actions will be taken to ensure justice for Rizwana and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
