Lahore court extends remand of five over mother, daughter’s manhole deaths

Families demand justice as investigation continues into fatal Bhatti Gate accident

LAHORE:

The Lahore District Court on Wednesday extended the physical remand of five suspects for five more days in the case of a mother and daughter who died after falling into an uncovered manhole near Bhatti Gate.

Police and rescue officials said Sadia and her infant daughter, Rida Fatima, fell into the manhole near Data Darbar on January 29, where development work was reportedly underway. Sadia’s body was recovered from the sewerage system near Outfall Road, about three kilometres away. Rescue teams found the infant’s body after a 16-hour-long operation that continued overnight.

Bhatti Gate police registered a case under Section 322 (manslaughter) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Sadia’s father, Sajid Hussain. The FIR named TEPA Project Manager Asghar Sandhu, Safety In-charge Daniyal Shamil, and Site In-charge Ahmed Nawaz for alleged criminal negligence. The complainant said the officials left the manhole uncovered, directly causing the deaths.

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

During Wednesday’s hearing, Sajid Hussain and Sadia’s husband, Murtaza, appeared following a judicial summons. When asked if they had received a one-crore-rupee cheque, Sajid Hussain said, “We have not received any money or cheque yet. We are still in shock. Today is the first time the court has summoned me, so I have come.”

The investigating officer requested a ten-day extension of the suspects’ remand, citing the need to check duty rosters and determine individual roles. Magistrate Shafqat Abbas criticised the slow progress, asking, “What have you achieved in four days? Two people have died, and you bring nothing after days of investigation.”

Read: Woman, daughter died due to fractures in Lahore manhole tragedy

Murtaza told the court that if the manhole had been covered and there had been light, “my family would not have perished.” The officer added that the suspects have been questioned but have not disclosed any information. Medical reports indicate fractures to the mother and child caused by the fall.

The suspects’ lawyer, Ahmed Chachar, opposed further physical remand, saying, “The complainant has suffered great loss… we had completed the site and handed it over to WASA.” Salman Yaseen, one of the suspects, broke down in court, describing harsh conditions in custody and stating, “We are fully cooperating with the investigation.”

The lawyer also informed the court that Usman Yaseen surrendered at the SP office and handed over a one-crore-rupee cheque, requesting his discharge while keeping the remaining suspects on judicial remand.

The court ordered the accused to be presented again on February 9, with Magistrate Shafqat Abbas reserving the verdict.