Abdul Gafoor and Azeeza deny murder charges

The mother and stepfather of the 15-year-old girl from Shaviyani Feydhoo have denied the charges against them for murdering the infant that the girl gave birth to after she was abused by her stepfather.

Her stepfather Abdul Gafoor Gasim, 44, of Blue Heaven in Shaviyani Feydhoo, and her mother Azeeza Ibrahim, 49, of Vaimathee Aage in Shaviyani Feydhoo, denied the charges in court today.

Criminal Court Media Official Ahmed Mohamed Manik said that witnesses will present their statements at the next hearing.

The State has pressed charges against them saying that the 15-year-old girl was impregnated and gave birth on 25 June 2012, but was never taken to see a doctor.

The State accused that necessary measures were not taken to ensure the baby’s health and that the girl’s pregnancy was instead kept a secret. She was not even taken to the hospital when she was about the give birth, and thus delivered the baby in poor health condition. The baby was then buried in Vaimathee Aage house grounds.

The State said that the baby died due to the involvement and negligence of the girl’s mother and stepfather.

The stepfather was also charged with sexually abusing a minor while being in a position of trust, and the mother was charged with failure to inform the police of her child being sexually abused.

Abdul Gafoor was accused of abusing his stepdaughter on multiple occasions. He was charged under article 9 (b) with reference to article 9 (a) of the Child Sex Abuse (Special Provisions) Act.