Rejected Final Investigation Report Calls for Impartial Reinvestigation
Karachi: A judicial magistrate has rejected the final investigation report in last year’s Keamari gas leak incident and directed SSP-Investigation to appoint an ‘honest’ officer to re-investigate. This matter claimed lives, including that of children.
Take a dive into what led to such tragedy: Multiple FIRs were registered at the Mochko police station under Sections related to poisonous substances and negligent conduct in various cases against owners of several plastic factories operating without legal permits. These establishments, devoid of proper safeguards, released fumes that led to fatalities.
Residents filed complaints after a series of unfortunate deaths resulting from the illicit operation.*
Judicial Magistrate’s Directive for Impartial Reinvestigation and Transparency.
- The judicial magistrate directed an impartial re-investigation to be carried out within a span of 14 days, emphasizing on transparency and accountability throughout the process. An officer not below DSP rank is required.
No innocent person should bear the burden unfairly; hence unjust conclusions made by initial investigators are under scrutiny due to their disregard for necessary legalities in investigation methods, leading inconsistency with law and contravention of natural justice principles. The reinvestigation is imperative.
The report had failed to consider the role of key departmental authorities whose negligence directly contributed to this incident.*Legal Oversight Failures Highlighted in Revised Investigation Scope.
- A notable lack of legal permits or certificates for operating factories on a residential land, and absence of action against unauthorized establishments by relevant authorities is criticized as gross negligence reflecting recklessness.
The initial investigation also overlooked that proper establishment registration which was obligatory had not been ensured at the time of this incident. Authorities seemingly complicit to illegal operations due to inaction are under judicial eye for their role, contributing significantly towards tragedy*.Inquiry into Residential Land Misuse: Unauthorized Factories and Godowns Operations on Home Zone Prohibited Sites.
- Investigation revealed presence of harmful chemical substances in bodies hinting at prolonged exposure to synthetic materials due to lack of control measures, leading authorities’ accountability towards ignorance or concealment*.
Inaction and Complicity: Relevant Authorities’ Contributions Towards the Tragedy.
- Despite clear evidence suggesting illegal factory operations on residential properties that disregard environmental protocols were a contributing factor to this tragedy, authorities failed in their mandate for regulatory oversight leading fatal negligence.
Taking into account gross negligence and recklessness by the officials responsible. It was established they played significant roles from excluding influential entities during investigation.*Conclusion: Calling upon Concerned Entities to Ensure Safety Protocols for Prevention of Future Incidences
- Impartial reinvestigation is being pursued, with authorities urged not just by law but also public conscience and the memory of lives lost in this unfortunate tragedy. Transparency, accountability at every step are mandated to prevent such occurrences again*.
Published in Dawn on December 12th,
