KARACHI: Police on Saturday submitted the charge sheet in the Gul Plaza fire case to a court in Karachi, holding the shopping mall’s association primarily responsible for the deadly inferno. A deadly fire that ripped through Gul Plaza — a popular three-storey shopping mall in the port city — on January 17 killed more than 70 people and exposed serious safety failures in the country’s largest city. DNA
The building, housing almost 1,200 businesses across its basement, mezzanine and three floors, had a variety of options for Karachiites, such as wedding wear, toys, household items, baby clothes and many more, all of which were turned to ashes as a result of the incident.
According to the charge sheet, police found no negligence on the part of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, fire brigade or civil defence.
Police have included 87 witnesses in the case and raised questions over fire safety arrangements at Gul Plaza, it said.
The charge sheet also noted the alleged negligence of the Gul Plaza administration and the safety arrangements available in shops and the building.
Police said that CCTV footage and other evidence were obtained during the investigation and included in the charge sheet.
