Sindh Government Challenges Supreme Court Verdict
The Sindh government on Wednesday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court's Karachi Registry against the judgment ordering the acquittal and release of the accused in the Baldia factory fire case. The petition was filed by Sindh Prosecutor General Shabbir Shah, requesting the court to reconsider its decision.
Background of the Case
On June 10, the Supreme Court acquitted two MQM workers, Rehman Bhola and Zubair Chariya, in the Baldia Town factory fire case, setting aside the death sentences awarded by a trial court and later upheld by the Sindh High Court (SHC). The court had set aside the judgments of the Anti-Terrorism Court by extending the benefit of the doubt to the accused.
Legal Arguments in the Review Petition
The petition raised the legal question of whether Article 188 of the Constitution applies to a judgment that is “contrary to the facts and the law”. The Sindh government argued that the judgment “suffers from the defect of ignoring eyewitness, medical and other evidence”. The petition also questioned whether, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the legal heirs of the victims could challenge the acquittal of convicted persons. It further raised objections regarding the application of Articles 4 and 17 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984.
Evidence Ignored, Says Government
According to the petition, the judgment ignored the evidence of injured witnesses and experts regarding the use of chemicals to start the fire. On September 11, 2012, more than 260 workers were 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.
Previous Court Rulings
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. 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.
