Fair investigation of RJ Mall inferno demanded

Court seeks report from IO at next hearing, extends remand of suspects

KARACHI:

The Judicial Magistrate East has extended remand of the accused in RJ Mall fire case by three days.

Defence Counsel Amir Mansoob Advocate said that the investigating officer (IO) should investigate the case honestly. "Till date the IO does not know who the owner of the building is. The person who is being accused is not actually the culprit," Mansoob Advocate argued.

After completing the remand, the police produced the arrested five accused in the court.

Liaqat Ali Khan Gabol Advocate, the lawyer of two accused, stated that reconciliation efforts are being made with the relatives of the deceased. They are also ready to compensate the relatives. Police are not cooperating with them. The affidavits of the relatives were also submitted by the lawyer of the accused.

The public prosecutor stated that one accused in the case, Arif Dhoni, is absconding.

Mansoob stated that Arif Dhoni has nothing to do with the burnt property. He appealed to the court to ask why Arif is being named in the case.

Aamir maintained that he has no objection to interrogate Arif who does not even have possession of the property.

Gabol stated that the statement of the relatives of victims should be recorded under Section 164.

The court inquired whether the heirs approached the police for a statement. The investigating officer (IO) said that one of the heirs has approached for the statement.

The public prosecutor stated that the investigation is still going on, new accused will also be included and the innocent will be freed.

The court asked the public prosecutor whether the investigation is still pending. The public prosecutor stated that documents should be collected, those responsible should be arrested, and the accused should be punished.

The court directed the investigating officer to conduct the investigation in a transparent manner. The court ordered the investigating officer to record the statements of the relatives. The court remarked that the statements of the relatives should be recorded outside the courtroom in front of the lawyer of the accused.

The court adjourned the hearing till December 9 and sought a progress report from the investigating officer on the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2023.