A newly appointed investigating officer (IO) has challenged the interim bail granted to Gul Plaza Market Committee President Tanveer Pasta and other accused in the Gul Plaza fire case, requesting the District and Sessions Court (South) to revoke their bail.
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During the hearing, the IO informed the court that the case would undergo a fresh investigation. The court adjourned proceedings on the bail cancellation application until July 21.
The accused include Union President Tanveer Pasta, Vice President Ammar Ismail, General Secretary Muhammad Ameen, Joint Secretary Muhammad Ramzan, as well as 11-year-old Huzaifa and his father Naimatullah, who were charge-sheeted following the police investigation.
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The prosecution had previously rejected the police report twice.
Earlier in the day, the Additional District and Sessions Court Karachi South extended the interim bail of all accused after the prosecution and police sought more time, citing the appointment of DSP Aamir as the new investigating officer.
Gul Plaza Fire Updates
Prosecutor Rana Khaliq told the court that a Judicial Magistrate had ordered a fresh investigation. As part of the renewed probe, investigators will re-record statements of all accused under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code and obtain statements from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and other relevant institutions.
The fire, which erupted at Gul Plaza on the night of January 17, claimed dozens of lives and continued to burn for more than 32 hours before being brought under control.
The accused have maintained that the tragedy resulted from the negligence of government departments rather than any wrongdoing on their part.
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They have also sought a transparent and impartial investigation, urging the court to direct a joint inquiry involving both police and security agencies.
Their counsel argued that the police investigation wrongly treated victims as suspects, including naming an 11-year-old child as an accused.
The petition seeks a review of the investigation and a fair determination of responsibility for the deadly incident.
