The Supreme Court annulled the death sentence of the two culprits of the Baldia factory tragedy and released them.

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted Abdul Rahman Bhola and Zubair Charia in the Baldia Town factory fire case, setting aside the death sentence awarded by the trial court and the sentences upheld by the Sindh High Court.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court ordered the release of the accused, giving them the benefit of doubt. The court said that the detailed judgment will be issued later. He also rejected requests to make the victims’ families parties to the case.

Justice Shahzad Malik observed that adding the families of some victims as parties could lead to hundreds of similar applications, which could further complicate the proceedings.

During the hearing, Justice Malik questioned several aspects of the prosecution’s case. He noted that when the Sindh High Court had asked the witnesses to remain silent as Karachi was controlled by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) at that time, only Zubair Charia gave a confession, while Abdul Rahman Bhola did not. He also questioned why the acquittal of others allegedly involved in the extortion demand was not challenged.

The judge further remarked that merely serving as a sector in-charge of a political party was not a crime and termed the Baldia Town tragedy as a heart-wrenching incident and inquired whether the accident was the result of negligence on the part of the factory owners or other factors.

Advocate Farogh Naseem argued that MQM founder Altaf Hussain was expelled from the party after his August 22, 2016 speech, adding that Hussain was also present in 2015 when the MQM was blamed for the incident after the factory owners were acquitted.

The court also questioned the prosecution’s evidence, noting that there was no evidence that chemicals were used to start the fire. Justice Aqeel Abbasi remarked that the prosecution’s case was not based on intent to kill people, Justice Shakeel Ahmed inquired that if the motive of the accused was extortion, what benefit could be gained from the deaths of factory workers.

The accused were accused of setting fire to the Baldia Town Garment Factory on 11 September 2012, which killed 259 people and injured 59 others.

The post Supreme Court canceled the death sentence of two criminals of the Baldia factory tragedy appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

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