The City Court Karachi (East) has rejects bail request of social activist Sarim Burney, who is accused of unlawfully sending children abroad and falsifying documents.
In a verdict announced by the judicial magistrate (east), the court stressed the importance of gathering additional evidence, echoing the argument put forward by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor. The prosecutor argued that granting bail to Burney could potentially compromise the integrity of the evidence.
Read more: Sarim Burney Requests Bail in Human Trafficking Case
“The suspect, if granted bail, might tamper with the evidence,” stated the FIA prosecutor during the proceedings.
The court had previously reserved its decision after both Burney’s defense and the FIA’s legal team completed their arguments in the case of illegal child trafficking and document forgery. While the defense sought bail due to insufficient evidence, the FIA insisted on keeping Burney in custody to ensure a thorough investigation.
Sarim Burney, a well-known social worker, faces serious charges related to the illegal trafficking of children and document forgery, prompting significant concern and scrutiny within the community.
On June 8, the judicial magistrate (East) of Karachi’s city court turned down the investigating officer’s plea to extend the remand of social activist Sarim Burney and ordered his transfer to jail on judicial remand.
During the hearing of the high-profile case involving human trafficking, fraud, and cheating against Burney, the court remanded him to judicial custody and scheduled his bail application hearing for June 10. Burney’s lawyer argued that the family of the girl in question, Haya, had been contacted and claimed they had willingly given the girl away themselves.
The FIA presented Burney in court and requested an extension of his physical remand.
On June 5, Burney was detained upon his arrival at Karachi Airport from the United States, as confirmed by sources. His detention followed serious allegations of human trafficking leveled against him by the US government.
According to sources, Burney was apprehended by the Anti-Human Trafficking Police upon his return to Pakistan based on a complaint from the US government. It is alleged that Burney and his trust facilitated the adoption of children in the US without fulfilling the necessary legal requirements, resulting in accusations of human trafficking against him.
The sources indicated that upon his detention, Burney was taken to an undisclosed location by the authorities, and an investigation into the matter was launched by the FIA.
