The prosecution department has returned the police challan in the Gul Plaza fire case, citing shortcomings in the investigation. Prosecutors have sought the inquiry commission report, nearby CCTV footage and additional witness statements.

KARACHI: The prosecution department has returned the police challan in the Gul Plaza fire case, raising objections over what it described as gaps in the investigation and saying the material submitted was not sufficient.

The charge sheet filed by police named Gul Plaza President Tanveer Pasta, Vice President Ammar Ismail, General Secretary Ameen and Joint Secretary Muhammad Ramzan in connection with the blaze. Nematullah, identified as the owner of the shop where the fire was said to have started, was also included.

The investigating officer has now been told to resubmit the challan after attaching the inquiry commission’s report and adding CCTV footage from buildings around the plaza, which prosecutors said had not been obtained during the initial probe.

A prosecution source also pointed to shortcomings in witness collection during the investigation. Police made no effort to trace eyewitnesses from areas around the flower shop, the source said, adding that statements of important witnesses who could have helped clarify the incident were also not recorded.