SSP Sadozai records statement in Baldia Factory Fire case

Says the factory owners were nominated as accused due to MQM's influence

KARACHI: A key witness in the Baldia Factory Fire case, SSP Sajid Sadozai, appeared before the Anti-Terrorism court to record his statement, where he said that the initial investigation of the case was conducted under the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's influence.

The ATC-VII was hearing the case at the Karachi Central Jail on Thursday, where the jail officials presented prime suspects, Rehman Bhola and Zubair Charya, before the court, while MQM leader Rauf Siddiqi and others were also present during the session.

Baldia Factory fire case nears conclusion

Public prosecutor Sajid Mehboob Sheikh appeared before the court with SSP Sadozai, who said that the owners of the factory were nominated as accused due to the MQM's pressure.

He confirmed the contents of the JIT report and stated that the accused Rizwan Qureshi talked about the Baldia fire incident during his interrogation. He stated during the hearing that Rehman Bhola had demanded extortion money from the factory owners on the orders of Hammad Siddiqi. As the demanded money was not paid, the factory was set on fire.

Siddiqi's travel history was also investigated and it was revealed that he had travelled to Dubai in August 2012 and returned on March 2013, while Bhola also visited Dubai in 2013.

Baldia factory fire: Owner narrates a harrowing tale of extortion, greed and carnage

JIT members had written a letter to the Home Department which stated that cases pertaining to the factory fire incident should be closed and new cases should be registered, but the request was rejected in a meeting comprising Home Secretary, Sindh Prosecutor General Shahadat Awan and Special Public Prosecutor Sajid Mehboob Sheikh.

Advocate Hassan Sabir completed the cross-questioning on the witness' statement, while counsels of other accused will cross-question the statement today.

Attack of Bilawal's rally

In a separate hearing, the ATC ordered the prosecution to present witnesses in the next hearing of the case regarding the attack on Bilawal Bhutto's rally during the general elections 2018 campaign.

ATC records IO’s statement in Baldia factory fire case

An ATC heard the case at the Karachi Central Jail, where an accused released on bail appeared before the court, but the prosecution did not present witnesses despite a request made for it during the last hearing. However, the Investigation officer recorded his statement during the session.

The accused in the case include MQM-P's candidate Rafiq Hingoro from constituency PS-107, Kabir, Naveed, Ahmed, Kashan, Ismail, while 13 are absconding from the case. The case was registered against the accused on behalf of the state in the Kalri Police Station under the sections of riots, interference in state affairs and others.

According to police, the accused were allegedly involved in stoning and vandalism during Bilawal Bhutto's rally, where several people were injured and the property was damaged.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2019.