KARACHI: Three separate petitions have been submitted to a Karachi session court requesting the registration of a murder case concerning the death of three-year-old Ibrahim, who tragically fell into an uncovered manhole near NIPA Flyover.
The petitioners Sheikh Saqib Ahmed, Abdul Ahad, and Amir Ali have named the Karachi mayor, the town chairman, the BRT contractor, and the Managing Director of the Water Board as respondents. They are demanding justice and accountability for the incident.
The heartbreaking event occurred late Sunday night when the young boy slipped into the open manhole located adjacent to a departmental store near NIPA.
In his plea, Ahmed pointed out that according to records maintained by the Edhi Foundation, 23 people have lost their lives in open drains this year alone. The petition further criticized the delay in rescue efforts, which led residents to hire heavy machinery themselves to recover the boy.
The petitioners called for the registration of a murder case against the responsible officials and urged that a senior police officer, at least of the SP rank, be appointed to lead the investigation. They emphasized the need for a “fair, transparent, and impartial” inquiry to establish individual accountability.
Additionally, the petition requested that the court direct the SHO concerned and SSP Karachi East to ensure full legal protection for Ibrahim’s family. They also urged that no pressure, threats, or coercion be exerted by any municipal authority, contractor, or individual acting on their behalf to influence the investigation or intimidate the victim’s family.
The petitions were filed a day after the child’s body was recovered 14 hours after he fell into the manhole. According to the child’s father, Ibrahim ran ahead and slipped his hand away before falling into the uncovered opening.
Mehmoodul Hasan, the child’s grandfather, shared that Ibrahim was their only child. Social media users expressed outrage over the authorities’ negligence in leaving the manhole uncovered, while lawmakers criticized the Sindh government and called for Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s resignation.
In response to the mounting criticism, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon expressed his condolences and labeled the incident “criminal negligence.” Wahab announced an inquiry into the matter, extending sympathies to the family.“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences and stand with the grieving parents during this difficult time,” Wahab stated, adding that political blame was being unfairly cast over this tragic event.
