Karachi Court rejects Sarim Burney’s bail plea in human trafficking case

KARACHI: The City Court Karachi (East) Tuesday rejected the bail application of human rights activist Sarim Burney in the human trafficking case registered by FIA Karachi last week.

Judicial Magistrate Karachi East Khaliq ul Zaman heard the plea of Sarim Burney seeking bail in the case, in which he was accused of trafficking newborn babies by way of illegal adoption to the United States.

During the hearing, Burney’s lawyer alleged that FIA leveled baseless allegations against his client without a ‘proper’ investigation into the matter.

The Federal Investigation Authority’s prosecutor told the court that more evidence was to be collected against the suspect, adding that if the suspect is granted bail, it may affect the investigation.

Furthermore, the agency’s prosecutor told the local court that baby girl Haya’s mother said she contacted the social worker to get her daughter back but he refused to return her.

However, Burney’s lawyer argued that the parents who adopted the baby from the hospital handed her over to the Sarim Burney Trust. “All legal requirements are met in the process of children’s adoption,” he added.

After hearing the arguments, the court emphasized the need for further evidence collection, considering the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor’s argument.

Earlier on Thursday, FIA booked Sarim Burney over charges of alleged involvement in “trafficking newborn babies by way of illegal adoption” to the United States (US). The Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) of the FIA arrested him when he arrived at Karachi airport from Washington, US.