Pak Supreme Court rejects govt.'s request for in-camera trial in flogging case

Islamabad, Apr. 7 (ANI): Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected the government's request for an in-camera trial of suspects involved in the teenaged girl's flogging in Swat and ruled that the facts be brought before the public.

An eight-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is hearing a suo motu case of the flogging incident.

The court has directed the federal interior secretary, the NWFP inspector general of police and the NWFP chief secretary to prepare a detailed report of the flogging case.

Attorney-General Sardar Latif Khosa described the flogging case as a sensitive issue that required an in-camera hearing.

Chief Justice Chaudhry turned down the request on the ground that as news of the flogging was revealed through the media, the facts should be brought before the public.

The flogged victim, Chand Bibi, didn't appear before the Supreme Court, saying that it was against her traditional values.

Bibi's statement before the magistrate was presented through Khosa.

Earlier, Malakand Commissioner Syed Mohammad Javed and a senior judge visited Kala village situated in the far-off area of Kabal Tehsil and recorded the statement of the girl's statement.

The NWFP chief secretary also presented a confidential report.

The Supreme Court, however, refused to accept the report, saying it was not required. (ANI)