Prosecution Rejects Police Challan in Gul Plaza Fire Tragedy
The prosecution department in Karachi on Monday rejected the police challan filed in connection with the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, terming the investigation "insufficient" and returning the charge sheet with multiple objections over glaring omissions in evidence collection.
Details of the Challan and Objections
According to prosecution sources, the challan submitted by police named Gul Plaza President Tanveer Pasta, Vice President Ammar Ismail, General Secretary Ameen, and Joint Secretary Muhammad Ramzan as responsible for the deadly blaze. Nematullah, the owner of the shop where the fire reportedly originated, was also named in the report. However, prosecutors found the police probe riddled with shortcomings.
The investigating officer has now been directed to attach the inquiry commission's report with the challan and include CCTV footage from buildings surrounding the plaza — material that police had failed to procure during their initial investigation.
Key Witnesses Ignored
"Police made no effort to trace eyewitnesses from areas around the flower shop," a prosecution source said, adding that no attempt was made to record statements from key witnesses who could have shed light on the incident.
The rejection highlights serious gaps in the police investigation, raising questions about accountability in the tragic fire that claimed multiple lives and caused extensive property damage.
