RAWALPINDI, May 10: Additional District and Sessions Judge Chaudhry Imtiaz Ahmed on Saturday termed 10 Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) officials “abettors” in the Bano Arcade case and ordered registration of Section 109 of PPC against them.

The officials involved in the case are assistant superintendents, Malik Abdur Rashid and Malik Yousaf (deceased); building clerks, Mohammad Iqbal (retired) and Daniel Maseh; building inspector Malik Adalat Hussain; building Patwari Shehar Gul (retired); building superintendent Malik Yasin; town planner Mumtaz Nasim; inspector Sarfaraz Gil; and superintendent Ashraf Bathi.

The court observed that the TMA officials were equally responsible for the plaza collapse on March 4, in which seven people were killed and 42 others injured.

The court took the move after the investigation officer (IO), DSP investigation cell Sardar Maqsood, submitted the initial investigation report in the court, showing TMA officials’ involvement in the case.

The IO contended that the plaza had been constructed in 1998, therefore, the then TMA officials responsible had been included in the case. He said some of the officials had died, while some had retired. He also told the court that the investigation was still underway and some other TMA officials might be included in the process.

Prior to the extension of the interim-bail of Bano Arcade’s owners, Shaikh Anwar Inam and Shaikh Aqeel Inam for another six days, the court turned down the arguments of the inspector legal in the case, Saadat.

The official had contended that Section 101 of the Pakistan Penal Code (charges of taking or accepting illegal gratifications) should be registered against the TMA officials and the case be transferred to an anti-corruption court. Under the section, the TMA officials could get a maximum three-year rigorous imprisonment if convicted.

However, the court maintained that the case fell in its jurisdiction and ordered registration of Section 109 of PPC. Under the section, the TMA officials, if convicted, could get punishment equal to that of the plaza owners.

The court adjourned the case till May 17, and observed that the final arguments of both the prosecution and defence counsels would be recorded during the next hearing. Besides, the owners of the plaza will be either granted bail or sent to jail.