LAHORE: The Sundar police on Saturday registered a case against two architects, chief engineer and the owner of the ill-fated factory under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and murder attempt charges.

At least 46 workers were killed and more than 103 injured when the roof of the four-storey Rajput Polyester Factory collapsed on Nov 4.

Raiwind City ASP Muhammad Abdullah told Dawn that the case had been registered against architects Tahir and Munir, Engineer Hussain Ahmed Riaz and owner the late Ashraf on the complaint of District Officer Muhammad Azhar. He said action against the factory owner could not be initiated as he and his son were among the 46 victims of the building collapse.

A high-level team probing the factory collapse in the Sundar Industrial Estate has held the Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PIEDMC) chief executive officer, construction contractor, resident engineer, architect, chief engineer, factory owner and two others responsible for the incident, recommending legal action against them.

The report was submitted to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif a couple of days ago by the Industries Department secretary, who was entrusted with the task of investigating the incident, fixing responsibility and recommending action and remedial measures to avert such incidents in future.

Besides declaring eight people directly responsible, the report also mentions a severe lack of supervision by the PIEDMC particularly at the time of construction and enforcing industrial building regulations.

Rescue and army teams had conducted an extended operation to clear debris and recover bodies and it lasted for 131 hours. Some 2,079 rescue personnel participated in the operation and heavy machinery with 309 vehicles were utilised for rubble clearance.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2015