The judicial magistrate (East) of Karachi's city court has rejected the investigating officer's request to extend the remand of social activist Sarim Burney and instead ordered that he be sent to jail on judicial remand.
During the hearing of the high-profile human trafficking, fraud, and cheating case against Burney, the court sent the activist to jail on judicial remand and said his bail application will be heard on June 10. Burney's lawyer argued that the family of the girl concerned, Haya, has been contacted, who claimed to have said they gave away the girl themselves.
The FIA produced Burney in court and requested for his further physical remand.
Sarim Burney stated, "I have the evidence in my cell phone," and added that he had said he was out of the country and would provide answers upon his return.
Also Read: Activist Sarim Burney arrested on human trafficking charges
The court noted that a bail application has also been filed on behalf of the suspect. The court then instructed the investigating officer to record the statement of the suspect in the presence of the lawyers. The judge ordered that Burney's statement be recorded immediately in the judge’s chamber and temporarily adjourned the hearing.
Burney's lawyer expressed concerns over potential mistreatment if the remand were extended, stating, "If further remand is granted, Sarim Burney will be violently treated." The court questioned Burney about allegedly making false statements despite knowing the girl’s parents were alive. Burney responded, "I did not know that the real parents are alive."
The case, presented by the FIA, involves accusations of human trafficking, fraud, and deception. According to the FIA, Afsheen, Haya's mother, sold her to a woman named Madiha, who subsequently sold the girl to another woman named Bushra. The FIA's lawyer stated that the Sarim Burney Trust declared the girl an orphan in family court, but Burney has not been cooperating with the investigation.
Also Read: Child trafficking: Activist Sarim Burney remanded to FIA for two days
In an informal conversation with the media, Sarim Burney urged people not to spread unverified news, saying that the information that not even FIA was aware of, was being spread. He criticized the FIA for not providing its clear stance and stated, "Even if there is a mistake, it's not mine," alleging that he was being punished for running a system.
"I don't believe there was any mistake in the paperwork. Human error is not a crime," Burney remarked.
The court has ordered Burney to be presented again after completing his physical remand. The FIA has been asked to submit a progress report on the investigation. The judicial magistrate emphasized the need for transparency and due process as the case progresses.
