February 27, 2008	Wednesday	Safar 19, 1429

KARACHI, Feb 26: The Additional District and Sessions Judge-II, Central, Nelofer Shahnawaz, on Tuesday rejected the bail application of the factory owner in the boiler blast case.Nine people died and 25 others were injured when the boiler of a towel-dyeing and bleaching factory in New Karachi exploded on July 24, 2007.

A case (FIR 359/2007) was registered against factory owner Akhtar Hussain Baloch and boiler operator Mohammad Ahsanullah under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Taimuria police station.

They were indicted on a manslaughter charge but they pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case. Through his counsel, Mr Baloch later submitted a bail application in court.

After hearing the final arguments from both sides, the judge pronounced the order on his plea on Tuesday.

Three prosecution witnesses, meanwhile, appeared in court to testify in the case. But their statements could not be recorded due to the absence of the defence counsel.

The court adjourned the boiler blast case hearing till March 8 and directed the witnesses to record their statements on the next hearing.

Earlier, investigation officer Mohammad Ilyas had submitted the final charge-sheet in the court of the judicial magistrate, central, Abdul Zahoor Chandio, on September 24, 2007. Referring to a parallel inquiry conducted by the directorate of industries, the report states that a boiler operator must hold a relevant licence and should be well-versed with the operation of the machinery.

More than 10 prosecution witnesses have been examined in the case so far.

Double murder

The same court, meanwhile, re-issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) for the arrest of five policemen, a medico-legal officer and four prosecution witnesses in a double murder case.

The NBWs were earlier issued on December 4, 2007 for the arrest of sub-inspectors Sajid, Ghulam Mustafa and Mohammad Arif, investigation officer Mehmood Akthar, constable Mohammad Sarfaraz, MLO Dr Zafar Shah Khan of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, and other prosecution witnesses Naseer Ahmed, Mohammad Altaf, Mohammad Younus and Sakeena Bibi for not complying with the court order.

Police authorities were directed to arrest and produce them in court on the next hearing. However, they failed to appear in court and the judge re-issued their arrest warrants on Tuesday and re-directed the police high-ups to order their arrest and ensure their production in court on the next hearing.

According to the prosecution, 70-year-old Abdul Latif stabbed the brother and uncle of his son-in-law Mushtaq Ahmed on September 27, 2000. The injured, Waris Hussain and Farman Ali, could not survive though they were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The post-mortem examination of the bodies was conducted by Dr Zafar Shah Khan. However, he has not appeared in court to testify so far.

The accused was booked under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code in the case (FIR No 177/2000) at the Khwaja Ajmer Nagri police station. The court fixed March 11 as the next date of hearing.

Gulgee’s killing

The Judicial Magistrate-X, South, Asif Ahmed, on Tuesday extended the remand of two accused who were allegedly involved in the murder of renowned artist Ismail Gulgee, his wife Zareen Gulgee and their maid Asiya, till February 29.