Gilgit court extends deadline for producing kidnapped minor girl

GIGILT: The Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan, on Tuesday, extended the deadline to April 6 for the Gilgit police to produce a minor girl who was allegedly kidnapped two months ago and forced into marriage before the court.

The decision was made after the police requested more time during Tuesday’s court proceedings, asserting that they were on the verge of locating the 13-year-old Falak Noor, who was taken from the Sultanabad area in the jurisdiction of Danyore Police Station, Gilgit.

During the hearing, the police informed the court that they were very close to finding Falak Noor but faced difficulties in taking her into custody. “We are so close that we could potentially produce her today or tomorrow; however, we need two to three more days to ensure her safe custody,” the police stated, emphasizing their commitment to her “safe recovery”.

The court acceded to the police’s plea and ordered that Falak Noor be produced before it by April 6, subsequently adjourning the hearing until that date. During the previous directive last week, the court commanded the police to locate and bring the girl to court by April 2 or face contempt proceedings.
Speaking to the media outside the Chief Court post-proceeding, Senior Lawyer Ehsan Ali, Advocate, remarked that the court has given the police one final opportunity to produce Falak Noor by the newly set deadline. The delay in her presentation has led her father and legal counsel to accuse the police of utilizing delay tactics. They implored the court not to provide further extensions to the police and the accused.

Read more: Punjab govt decides to establish wildlife rescue force for animal protection

It is to be mentioned here that after her alleged abduction, the girl reappeared twice in video statements asserting that she had not been kidnapped but had eloped of her own volition. In the latest video, she reiterated her stance of marrying out of her own will. The video footage showcased her in a room with brown patterned wall paint, seated on a floor mattress and wearing a head-covering scarf, suggesting she was filmed somewhere within Gilgit.

Sources close to the investigation have suggested reluctance on the police’s part to present the minor before the court. According to these sources, despite the alleged abductors having returned the girl to Gilgit a few days ago, the police have hesitated to take custody of her.

They further alleged that an influential personality from the Gujar community is sheltering the accused abductors. The sources claimed that a recent video statement of the girl was recorded in the house of this notable individual, as evidenced by the background paint in the video matching that of the individual’s residence.

However, in a brief chat with HUM News English, Danyore Police Station Head Officer Syed Kamran Hussain clarified that the assumptions regarding the location were based on the commonality of wall paneling in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is also prevalent in Mansehra and Abbottabad areas. “If someone possesses concrete information regarding her whereabouts, they should come forward, and we will conduct a raid on the house with cameras present,” he asserted, revealing, “According to my information, she is somewhere in Mansehra.” He mentioned that a team led by the DIG Investigation was already in Mansehra searching for her. “Inshallah, we will find her in a few days and present her before the court within the given timeframe,” he confidently stated.

Kamran also highlighted the legal complexities surrounding the case, noting that the suspects and the girl both received legal protection after the Abbottabad court granted transit bail to the suspects and accepted the girl’s statement despite the existence of an FIR under section 364-A of the Pakistan Penal Code. “The court could have sought our stance but chose not to and provided them legal cover instead,” he added.

Earlier, while talking to the media after court proceedings, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Gilgit Range Raja Mirza Hassan accepted that the police had failed to produce the girl before the court. “If we share our efforts or strive to convince you by any means, the fact remains we failed to produce her, and we accept this,” Hassan added.

He said Noor went missing on January 20, and they received a complaint against unknown persons on January 21, which was a bit late. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Nikkah documents suggest it was done on January 23. “It means that the nikkah was concluded within two to three days, giving us no time to react. The police need some time to set the direction of the case,” the DIG explained.