A three-member bench ruled that legal and evidentiary issues in the case entitled the accused to acquittal
The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday acquitted two Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers in the Baldia Town factory fire case, setting aside the death sentences awarded to them by a trial court. later upheld by the Sindh High Court (SHC).
On September 11. 2012,more than 260 workerswere burnt alive in the multi-storey building of the Ali Enterprises garment factory in Baldia Town in what was the worst industrial disaster in the country’s history.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahzad Malik announced the verdict after hearing appeals filed by Abdul Rehman alias Bhola. Zubair alias Chariya, allowing their petitions and extending them the benefit of the doubt.
Read:Death penalty for two upheld in Baldia factory fire case
The court held that, in light of the evidence. legal issues involved in the case, the accused were entitled to acquittal.
The bench also disposed of a petition seeking the expungement of certain judicial observations, declaring it infructuous. The court observed that since the original judgment had been set aside. the related remarks automatically ceased to have legal effect.
During the proceedings, the court highlighted several legal and evidentiary weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Questions were also raised regarding certain confessional statements. issues relating to the alleged political affiliations of some of the accused.
The bench further rejected applications seeking to implead the heirs of the deceased victims as parties to the proceedings. The court observed that allowing a large number of parties to join the case could unnecessarily prolong the litigation process.
Justice Shahzad Malik remarked that the case had been made more complicated by linking together various political. legal aspects, while Justice Shakeel Ahmad noted clear contradictions between certain statements and the available evidence.
In 2023. the SHC dismissed appeals challenging the death sentences awarded to the two MQM activists after a special Anti-Terrorism Court had upheld the capital punishment handed down to them.
Also Read:Chemical used in Baldia factory fire was ‘highly’ inflammable, says researcher
In its 46-page judgment. the SHC said the forensic report clearly showed that the factory fire had not been caused by a short circuit. It further held that evidence and witness statements confirmed that Zubair Chariya had set fire to the factory.
According to the case record. Abdul Rehman was associated with the MQM as a sector in-charge, while Zubair was an active worker of the town municipality. Both were present at the factory when the fire broke out.
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