Petition filed over mother, daughter’s manhole deaths

A petition has been submitted to the Lahore High Court seeking the registration of a criminal case against Punjab Information Minister Azam Bukhari, the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, and other authorities for allegedly spreading false information about the death of a mother and daughter who fell into an open manhole near Bhati Gate.

The petition pointed out that over 10,000 manhole covers are stolen every year in Lahore, but no effective preventive steps have been taken. The petition stated that the police’s registration of an FIR under Section 322 is insufficient because the death was not accidental but occurred due to alleged criminal negligence. The petitioner stated that the government’s actions were merely a gesture and did not hold anyone accountable.

The petition asked for the appointment of a judicial commission to probe the incident, take strict action against the negligent officials, reveal the facts of the case, and provide compensation to the family.

The petition also claimed that police officials and government representatives harassed the grieving family after the incident.

The petition has been submitted by Advocate Azhar Siddique, who is the head of the Judicial Activism Panel. He has named the Punjab government, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA)  and other relevant departments as parties to the case.