SC acquits two convicts in Karachi's Baldia Town factory fire case, sets aside death sentences

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Supreme Court of Pakistan has cleared Abdul Rehman, also known as Bhola, and Zubair alias Chariya in the Baldia Town factory fire matter, nullifying the death penalties that were originally imposed by the trial court and later maintained by the Sindh High Court.

A three-member bench, led by Justice Shahzad Malik, issued the ruling after reviewing the appeals submitted by the two men.

The court accepted their petitions and concluded that, given the nature of the evidence and the legal questions involved, both accused were entitled to the benefit of the doubt, making their convictions unsustainable.

The bench further wrapped up a separate plea that had sought the removal of certain remarks made in earlier judicial findings, stating that the request had become meaningless after the main verdict itself was overturned. The judges noted that once the primary judgment no longer stood, any associated observations automatically lost their effect in law.

Throughout the proceedings, the court highlighted multiple gaps and weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. It also expressed reservations over the credibility of certain confessional statements and discussed concerns regarding alleged political connections attributed to some of the accused individuals.

The bench additionally turned down applications that sought to make the legal heirs of the victims part of the case. The judges observed that expanding the number of parties in this manner would likely prolong the case unnecessarily and complicate the legal process.

Justice Shahzad Malik observed that the matter had become overly complicated due to the blending of political and legal dimensions, while Justice Shakeel Ahmad pointed out inconsistencies between specific statements and the evidence available on record.

The Baldia Town factory tragedy occurred on September 11, 2012, when a devastating blaze broke out at a garment factory in Karachi. The fire resulted in the deaths of 259 workers and left several others injured. The accused had faced allegations of involvement in arson and extortion connected to the incident.