Lahore court grants bail to five accused in Bhati Gate manhole deaths case
A file photo of deceased mother, Sadia with her 10-month-old daughter Rida Fatima. PHOTO: EXPRESS
A Lahore district court has issued a written order granting bail to five accused in the case involving the deaths of a mother and her infant daughter who fell into an open manhole near Bhati Gate last month, following a settlement between the parties.
The three-page written order was issued by a judicial magistrate at the District Courts in Lahore. Project Manager Asghar Sandhu, safety in-charge Hanzala and site in-charge Ahmed Nawaz were presented before the court, while contractors Salman Yaseen and Usman Yaseen were produced in police custody.
The incident occurred near Data Darbar, where 24-year-old Sadia and her 10-month-old daughter Rida fell into an uncovered sewer line. Rescue 1122 recovered Sadia’s body nearly six hours later, while the infant’s body was retrieved about 16 hours after the incident following an extensive search operation.
Read: Lahore court grants bail to 5 suspects in manhole tragedy as complainant seeks no action
During the proceedings, Sajid Hussain, father of the deceased Sadia Sajid and complainant in the case registered at Bhati Gate police station, recorded his statement before the court. He said the accused Salman Yaseen and Usman Yaseen had paid compensation to him and his son-in-law.
“I have forgiven all the accused for the sake of Allah and have no objection to their discharge, acquittal, or release on bail,” he told the court, adding that his statement was made of his own free will and without any pressure.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz posted on X:
“Respected Madam,
The complainant of the case in Bhati gate manhole incident has effected compromise with the accused. Husband of the deceased (Ghulam Murtaza) has taken 85 lacs, and father (Sajid) has taken 25 lacs.
The court has granted them bail.
For kind info pl.”
I…Ghulam Murtaza, husband of Sadia Sajid and father of Rida Fatima, also recorded his statement. According to the court order, he confirmed that the accused had paid diyat (blood money) to him and his father-in-law and that he had forgiven them “for the sake of Allah,” with no objection to their discharge, acquittal or bail.
The order noted that the complainant had entered into a compromise with the accused, under which the husband received Rs8.5 million and the father received Rs2.5 million.
Read More: Court grants four-day remand of eight suspects
The court observed that while the statements of forgiveness were significant, the amount paid did not constitute full diyat under the law. Therefore, the accused could not be discharged from the case at this stage.
However, noting that the complainant no longer wished to pursue further action, the court ordered the release of all five accused on bail against surety bonds of Rs50,000 each.
Police at Bhati Gate had registered the case after the incident, which sparked public outrage and raised concerns over uncovered manholes in the city.