KARACHI – The police have submitted the challan in the Gul Plaza fire case to the relevant court, holding the market association primarily responsible for the blaze and raising serious questions over fire safety arrangements at the commercial complex.
The police report said that 87 witnesses have been included in the case. The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the fire, the safety measures in place at Gul Plaza and the possible causes of the incident.
The challan states that investigators found no negligence on the part of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the fire brigade or Civil Defence. Police said various forms of evidence were collected during the investigation, including CCTV footage and other material related to the incident.
The forensic examination also formed a key part of the investigation. According to the report, no explosive material was detected in the items examined by forensic experts. Similarly, investigators found no traces of any flammable or incendiary liquid.
However, the forensic report identified the presence of residues in some objects that had remained after the fire. Police included these findings in the challan as part of the evidence collected during the investigation.
The report also points towards alleged negligence by the Gul Plaza management, particularly with regard to fire safety arrangements. Statements from individuals regarding the safety measures available inside the shops and different parts of the building have also been incorporated into the challan.
The police investigation has therefore placed particular emphasis on the responsibilities of the market association and building management in maintaining adequate fire safety standards.
The challan has now been submitted to the court for further legal proceedings. The court will examine the evidence and statements included in the police report before determining the next course of action in the case.
