Judicial Magistrate South Kulsoom Sehato heard the case of Lyari building collapse and sent 10 accused, including senior officers of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) on judicial remand to jail. Police had produced the suspects before the magistrate following the completion of their physical remand.
The suspects include Syed Irfan Haider Naqvi, Ashfaq Hussain, Mohammad Jalees Siddiqui, Syed Faheem Murtaza, Asim Ali Khan, Faheem Ahmed, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Raheem Hussain Shah, Taj Mohammad and SBCA's additional director general Zargham Haider.
According to the investigating officer (IO), the official records of the collapsed building could not be recovered, and further custody of the accused was required to obtain the documents. However, the court dismissed this request, ruling that the investigation could continue without extending their physical remand.
Defence lawyer Zeeshan Rajpar argued, there was no prior complaint about the dangerous condition of the building. Another defence counsel, Javed Chhattari stated that the responsibility to provide building records rests with the section officer, who has become the complainant in this case rather than any affected individual.
The court rejected the IO's request for further remand and ordered to send all the accused to jail, stressing that law enforcement can proceed with record recovery through the section officer without needing to keep the suspects in custody.
Rehabilitation of Lyari tragedy victims on cards: Ghani
Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has assured that the government will extend all possible support to the victims of the Lyari building collapse and is taking comprehensive steps for their rehabilitation.
He added that a committee, formed for long-term rehabilitation, will soon finalise a plan to provide permanent housing for the victims. "A dedicated desk has been established at the Town Office to facilitate their rehabilitation," he said.
He said that the government is providing immediate financial assistance of Rs1 million each to the families of people who lost their lives in the incident, while the affected families are being paid three months' rent as interim relief so they can arrange alternative housing. "Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for this tragedy," he stated.
The minister on Monday met the affected families and offered condolence to them for the loss of precious lives in the tragic incident.
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