KARACHI: A day after 11 people died in a blaze that erupted inside a shopping mall in the city, the police on Sunday lodged an FIR under manslaughter and negligence charges.

The case was registered on behalf of the state but no one was nominated as it said that “connivance” of K-Electric and other institutions, which had approved the building’s map, would be probed.

While pointing out that there was no firefighting equipment and emergency exits in the building, the police also noted that “substandard material” was used in the construction of the six-storey mall.

Investigators suspected a “short circuit” might have triggered the fire.

SSP East Syed Irfan Bahadur told Dawn they would initiate further legal proceedings in light of a report expected from the experts concerned after determining the exact cause of fire and other factors that led to the deaths.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said the incident at R.J. Mall fell within the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Board Faisal (CBF), not the KMC.

During a ceremony at Safari Park, he said that no CBF staff participated in rescue efforts and the blaze was extinguished by the fire brigade and Rescue 1122 personnel.

He pointed out that the building’s layout plan was approved and regularised by the CBF and not the Sindh Building Control Autho­rity.

The cantonment board also collected revenue from the building.

He found it ironic that an FIR was registered against the fire brigade and Rescue 1122, the very entities that came to the rescue of people.

“Congratulations to the police for lodging an FIR against the staff of the departments that saved the lives of 45 people,” the mayor said sarcastically.

FIR

Sharea Faisal police registered the FIR on behalf of the state through Sub-Inspector Sadaruddin Mirani under sections 322, 436, 427, 288, 285, and 34 of PPC.

The complainant said that after examining the site and questioning the witnesses, it transpired that the fire broke out at around 5am on Nov 25.

People attempted to escape through a staircase and lift, but because of heat, they were burnt and shifted to different hospitals in ambulances.

Fire brigade staff controlled the blaze and after examination of the building, the firemen observed that there was no “safety equipment” for extinguishing the fire and no emergency exit.

A “strong suspicion” that the fire erupted due to short circuit exists.

“Therefore, the connivance of KE and other institutions would be probed,” said the FIR, adding it appeared that the construction of building was approved against relevant laws and substandard material was used in its construction.

The FIR attributed purported “negligence” of the institutions concerned.

The complainant said his plea/complaint was against constructors of the shopping plaza and present administration of the institutions that approved its map and issued NOC despite substandard construction.

Meanwhile, Mr Mirani told Dawn that it was previously known as ‘Megna Mall’ and later renamed R.J. Shopping Plaza. He said initially it was a four-storey building, but two floors were constructed later on.

The owner of the building has died.

Expert’s help sought

The police investigation team, led by DIG East Azfar Mahesar, visited the mall on Sunday.

Talking to media, the DIG disclosed that a NED University professor has been included in the investigation team.

The officer said he appreciated the performance of the firefighters and Civil Defence. He justified the registration of FIR.

He said if any complainant, who got the FIR registered later on, pardoned the responsible persons, then the heirs of other victims would be deprived of justice. The authorities have sealed the mall for investigation.

Software engineer

Among the 11 victims was Shahzeb, a software engineer whose funeral prayer was held at Liaquatabad. Tanveer, his maternal uncle, said Shahzeb was supposed to be married in December. He urged the authorities to provide justice.

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said that among the five injured, one had suffered burns and was under treatment at Burns Centre of CHK.

Mohammad Asim Rehman also contributed to this report.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023