Baldia Factory Fire Case: Rehman Bhola sent on 5-day remand

KARACHI (92 News) – The Anti-Terrorism Court has on Wednesday handed over, the prime suspect of a devastating Baldia factory fire in Karachi which left around 257 people dead and many others injured, to police on physical remand until December 19. The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Counter-Terrorism Wing produced Abdul Rehman alias Bhola in the court. The court expressed anger over non-appointment of Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) as the investigation officer. The court also expressed dissatisfaction over the Investigation Officer Inspector Raja Jahangir. Special Public Prosecutor told the court that they have written a letter to DIG for the appointment of senior police officer. During the proceedings, Abdul Rehman alias Bhola pleaded not guilty in the court, saying that the allegations leveled against him are false. “Asghar Baig had set the factory on fire,” he said. The ATC remanded the accused in the police custody till December 19. Bhola was detained by Thai Interpol at a hotel in Bangkok on Friday after which a two-member team of the FIA reached Thailand and brought the accused back to Karachi. Bhola is a former Sector Incharge of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MMQ) and an employee of Karachi Municipal Corporation’s health department.