GUJRAT: At least four officials of Gujranwala Electric Power Company, including its executive engineer (EXEN) and sub divisional officer (SDO), were booked on murder charges.

The case was registered with the Jinnah road police station (Gujranwala) as a woman and her daughter died and another family member was critically burnt after a transformer exploded near a banquet hall along Ratta road on June 21.

Complainant Abdullah Chishti alleged that he along with other family members had been passing through Jamia Qasmia Street along Ratta road when a 200 KVA transformer installed in the street suddenly burnt and the hot oil of the transformer fell on his daughter Rafia and granddaughter Hania whereas his cousin Jameel also got affected while trying to rescue the others.

He said three members of his family suffered burns and they were shifted to Gujranwala district headquarter hospital and Mayo hospital, Lahore in a critical condition.

On June 22, he said, his daughter died in the hospital and his granddaughter too succumbed to her burns on June 24 due to being critically burnt and all that happened due to the criminal negligence of the Gepco’s respective authorities.

Police have registered a case against EXEN Sheikh Mohsin Ijaz, SDO Qamar Rasool Warraich, Line Superintendent Asif Naqvi and Lineman Matiur Rehman under section 322 of Pakistan Penal Code on the report of the complainant and started investigation.

No arrest has so far been made in connection with the case.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2024