LHC seeks govt replies over deaths of mother, infant in open manhole case

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought replies from the Punjab government, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other departments on a petition linked to the deaths of a mother and her infant daughter who fell into an open manhole near Bhati Gate last week.

The petition, which seeks registration of a case against the Punjab Minister for Information, a judicial inquiry and action against responsible officers, was taken up for hearing. The court directed all respondents to submit their replies by March 3.

According to police and rescue authorities, Sadia and her infant daughter, Rida Fatima, fell into an uncovered manhole near Data Darbar, where development work was reportedly underway. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening at around 7:30pm.

Sadia’s body was recovered first from the sewerage system near Outfall Road, about three kilometres from the site. Rescue officials said the infant’s body was found after a 16-hour operation that continued through the night.

Following the incident, Bhati Gate police registered a case under Section 322 (manslaughter) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Sajid Hussain, Sadia’s father. The FIR named TEPA Project Manager Asghar Sandhu, Safety In-charge Daniyal Shamil and Site In-charge Ahmed Nawaz, holding them responsible for alleged criminal negligence.

Read: Court grants four-day remand of eight suspects in Lahore manhole tragedy

The complainant accused the officials of leaving the manhole uncovered, which he said directly led to the deaths.

During the hearing, the court observed that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should not be made parties to the case. However, it remarked that the matter involved public interest and that a response from the federal government should also be sought.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that similar incidents of citizens falling into open manholes continue to occur across Lahore. The Assistant Attorney General said there was no need to make the federal government a party, a stance the court did not fully endorse.

The petition was filed by Judicial Activism Panel head Azhar Siddique Advocate and named the Punjab government, the LDA and other departments as respondents.

According to the petition, gross negligence was shown by leaving an open manhole in a densely populated area. It alleged that the government took token measures instead of holding those actually responsible to account.

The petition stated that more than 10,000 manhole covers are stolen in Lahore every year and argued that registration of a case under Section 322 was inadequate. It maintained that the deaths were not accidental but the result of criminal negligence.

Read more: CM Maryam orders arrests over mother, infant daughter's deaths in Lahore manhole

It also alleged that police and government representatives harassed the victims’ family after the incident.

The petitioner requested the formation of a judicial commission to determine the facts and compensation for the family. It sought recovery of Rs250 million from negligent officers to be paid to the bereaved family.

The petition further called for registration of cases against the Punjab Minister for Information, the Deputy Commissioner Lahore and others for allegedly spreading misinformation after the incident.

The case sparked controversy after conflicting official statements, with some questioning whether bodies could travel through the sewerage system. Confusion deepened when a Punjab government spokesperson prematurely termed the incident “fake”, a claim later contradicted by rescue findings.

Further doubts arose when family members accused Sadia’s husband of foul play, citing strained marital relations. Police detained the husband and others for questioning, but investigators later said forensic evidence, CCTV footage and rescue operation findings supported the conclusion that the deaths were accidental.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz last week ordered the dismissal and arrest of Project Director Zahid Hussain, Ahmed Nawaz, Daniyal Shamil and Asghar Sandhu.

She expressed a complete lack of confidence in the performance of the departments concerned and ordered immediate accountability, holding the administration, the LDA, the Water and Sanitation Agency and other officials responsible for gross negligence.