Baldia factory fire case: ATC rejects Rehman Bhola's bail plea


KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) rejected on Wednesday the bail plea of Abdur Rehman alias Bhola, the prime suspect in the Baldia factory fire case.

During the hearing of bail plea, the ATC remarked that there was evidence against Bhola regarding his possible involvement in the Baldia factory fire. The court declared that Bhola could not be released until the trial was completed against him. The court also dismissed the bail application of Ali Hasan Qadri, another suspect in the case.

According to a joint investigation team (JIT) report concerning the Baldia factory fire, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker, Rizwan Qureshi, confessed to setting the garment factory owned by Ali Enterprises on fire in collusion with Bhola and others on the orders of MQM leader Hammad Siddiqui. Qureshi also reportedly confessed that the factory was set afire for non-payment of extortion.

FIA team to bring Hammad Siddiqui back from Dubai

The JIT report was presented before the court during Wednesday’s hearing after which the ATC rejected Bhola’s bail plea.

Earlier, Bhola also had made confession of his involvement in the fire before an investigation officer. However, during the hearing on December 30, he retracted from his confession, claiming that he had been forced to admit his involvement in the crime and that he was innocent.

Order on plea regarding inclusion of MQM leader Rauf Siddiqui as suspect in the case was deferred till January 6.

Former MQM organising committee chief is likely to be brought to Karachi on Monday

  • Main suspect in Baldia factory fire retracts confessional statement

    Rehman Bhola says law enforcers forced him to confess in statement filed to ATC

  • SHC summons complete records in Baldia factory fire case

    The former investigation officer has also been directed to appear before the court

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    Original news : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1599916/1-baldia-factory-fire-case-atc-rejects-rehman-bholas-bail-plea/