A Pakistani high court on Tuesday ordered official protection for the two Hindu girls due to concern about their safety as authorities widened a probe to ascertain if the teenage sisters were abducted, forcibly converted and married.
The two girls, Raveena (13) and Reena (15), were allegedlykidnapped by a group of “influential” men from their home in Ghotkidistrict in Sindh on the eve of Holi. Soon after the kidnapping, a video wentviral in which a cleric was purportedly shown soleminising the Nikah (marriage)of the two girls, triggering a nationwide outrage.
The Islamabad High Court issued the order Tuesday after thepetition was filed by the girls and their husbands to seek protection fromadverse action.
Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case aboutcontroversy over conversion of the two Hindu girls from Ghotki area of Sindhprovince and their marriage with Muslim men.
The judge after the hearing of their petition handed overtheir custody to Deputy Commissioner Islamabad and Director General HumanRights.
He ordered that a woman Superintendent Police should be deputedwith the sisters to ensure their safety.
The court directed authorities that an investigation reportabout their case should be presented before it by April 2 when it will issuefurther directions.
The court also noted the Prime Minister Imran Khan hasordered probe to ascertain if the two girls were abducted and forciblyconverted and married.
On March 20, the girls’ family lodged a First InformationReport against their alleged forced conversion to Islam.
A war of words broke out between India’s External AffairsMinister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry overthe reported abduction, forced conversion and underage marriages of the twoHindu teenagers.
The spat started soon after Swaraj sought details from theIndian envoy in Pakistan into the reported abduction of two Hindu teenagedgirls.
Swaraj tweeted that she has asked the Indian HighCommissioner in Pakistan to send a report on the matter.
Police later arrested the cleric who solemnised the weddingand some other people, including a senior member of the Sunni Tehreek Pakistangroup for their alleged involvement in their forceful conversion to Islam.
Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan.
According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live inPakistan. Majority of Pakistan’s Hindu population is settled in Sindh province.