FIR registered for Bhatia Bhuwan’s demolition
The internal structure of Bhatia Bhuwan has been demolished over the past few weeks, leaving just the facade intact. PHO-TO: EXPRESS
The Risala police have registered an FIR against the owner of Bhatia Bhuwan, a colonial-era building in Karachi, and builders accused of razing the heritage structure. The FIR was registered late Thursday night against a man identified as Rasheed and others.
It was registered after archaeology department officials submitted an application to the police, requesting that the persons responsible for demolishing the building located on Prathna Samaj Road in Thattai compound, opposite Dow Dental College, be booked.
"There should be zero tolerance for [such acts and] persons," antiquities and archaeology director Manzoor Ahmed Kanasro remarked, while speaking to The Express Tribune on the matter.
He further stated that after registering an FIR, the police had made no arrests yet, but his department would approach senior officials, asking them to nab the individuals who tore down the heritage building.
The official pointed out that he had another FIR registered over a similar incident on the premises of Karachi Gymkhana a few weeks ago, while another case of the same nature was registered in Hyderabad eight months back.
"We always have to seek the police's help as the department doesn't have a force of its own," he explained.
Confirming the registration of FIR for Bhatia Bhuwan's demolition, South deputy commissioner Irshad Sodhar assured that there would be no further demolition at the site and action would be taken against persons nominated in the FIR.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2020.