Lahore court grants 4-Day remand in fatal manhole incident

A judge has approved four-day physical remand for four officials accused in the Bhatti Gate incident, where a mother and her infant died after falling into an open manhole.

The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday when 24-year-old Sadia and her 10-month-old daughter Rida Fatima fell into an uncovered manhole at an under-construction site at Data Darbar expansion project in Lahore. Their bodies were recovered by rescue teams after prolonged search.

According to reports, police had initially asked for a 14-day remand for the accused, but Judge Shafqat Abbas granted a four-day remand, directing investigators to complete the investigation and present the suspects again on February 3 before the court.

During the hearing, the defense opposed the extended remand, but prosecutors argued it was necessary to determine the role of the officials from TEPA and negligence by officials of the Water and Sanitation Agency and the civil administration overseeing the construction project.

Authorities have already arrested three people named in the FIR, including the project manager, site in-charge and safety officer, with suspensions and show-cause notices issued to other officials linked to the Data Darbar project.