Petition seeks criminal case against Punjab minister, DC over mother and daughter’s manhole deaths

Advocates allege criminal negligence after two women died in Lahore manhole, seek judicial probe

LAHORE:

A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court seeking registration of a criminal case against Punjab Information Minister Azam Bukhari, the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, and other officials for allegedly spreading false information regarding the deaths of a mother and daughter who fell into an open manhole near Bhati Gate.

The petition noted that more than 10,000 manhole covers are stolen in Lahore annually, yet effective preventive measures remain absent. It argued that the police registration of an FIR under Section 322 is inadequate, as the deaths were not accidental but the result of alleged criminal negligence. The petitioner claimed the government’s response was largely symbolic and failed to hold responsible officials accountable.

The petition requested the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the incident, take strict action against negligent officials, establish the facts of the case, and determine appropriate compensation for the family.

Read: Woman, child die as they fall into manhole in Lahore

The petition also alleged that police officials and government representatives harassed the bereaved family following the incident.

The petition was filed by Advocate Azhar Siddique, head of the Judicial Activism Panel. He has included the Punjab government, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), and other relevant departments as parties to the case.

The petition requested that the court order the recovery of Rs25 crore in compensation from the negligent officers and ensure its payment to the legal heirs. It also sought directions for registering cases against Punjab Information Minister Azam Bukhari, the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, and other officials for allegedly spreading misinformation about the incident.