SC reverses IHC decision to extend jail sentence of convicted couple in Tayyaba torture case

Photo: File

The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to extend the jail sentence of a former judge and his wife, who were convicted in 2018 for torturing a young domestic worker named Tayyaba.

The apex court issued the orders in its detailed verdict in the appeal filed by the guilty couple — erstwhile judge Raja Khurram and wife Maheen Zafar.

In June 2018, the IHC's divisional bench, comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, on the state's appeal, had increased the husband-wife duo's sentences to three years each from the original sentence of one. 

Furthermore, the court had imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on the couple, which had subsequently challenged the decision in the Supreme Court.

Also read: Judge, wife get bail after year's jail-term in Tayyaba torture case

After the apex court’s decision today, the convicts' sentence of one-year each, originally issued by the trial court, has been restored.

On December 29, 2016, Tayyaba, a 10-year-old domestic help, was recovered from the house of the judge after receiving complaints of torture from neighbours. The issue had sparked outrage on social media and led to calls for strict and swift justice.

Subsequently, a first information report (FIR) was filed against the judge and his wife at the I-9 police station.

An inquiry report by the police found that the judge's wife was responsible for torturing the child maid, and held Khurram responsible of indirect criminal negligence.Subsequently, a first information report (FIR) was filed against the judge and his wife at the I-9 police station.

An inquiry report by the police found that the judge's wife was responsible for torturing the child maid, and held Khurram responsible of indirect criminal negligence.

Also read: Tayyaba torture case: No doubt crime was committed, says CJP

Later, on January 3, 2017, Tayyaba's parents reached a compromise and forgave the accused.

However, the then chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar took a suo motu notice of the compromise agreement and ordered the IHC to conduct a trial of the case.

Following the incident, the IHC suspended the judge and made him an officer on special duty.