A Lahore district court has issued a written order granting bail to five accused in the case involving the deaths of a woman and her infant daughter who fell into an open manhole near Bhati Gate last month.
The decision came after Sajid Hussain, father of the deceased Sadia and the complainant in the case told the court that he did not wish to pursue further legal proceedings against the accused.
He stated that the accused Salman Yaseen and Usman Yaseen had paid compensation to him and his son-in-law.
“I have forgiven all the accused for the sake of Allah and have no objection to their discharge, acquittal, or release on bail,” he told the court, adding that his statement was made of his own free will and without any pressure.
Ghulam Murtaza, the husband of Sadia and father of Rida, also recorded his statement before the court.
According to the court order, he confirmed that the accused had paid diyat (blood money) to him and his father-in-law and that he had forgiven them “for the sake of Allah,” with no objection to their discharge, acquittal, or bail.
The victims, 24-year-old Sadia and her 10-month-old daughter Rida, fell into the open manhole near the Data Darbar expansion project site.
Judicial Magistrate Shafqat Abbas presided over the hearing after police presented the suspects before the court following the completion of their physical remand.
Those nominated in the case include Project Manager Asghar Sandhu, the contractor company’s CEO Salman Yasin, Site In-charge Hunzala, Ahmed Nawaz, and Daniyal.
Based on the complainant’s statement, the magistrate approved the post-arrest bail applications of all five accused and ordered them to submit surety bonds of Rs. 50,000 each.
During a previous hearing, the defense counsel informed the court that the company’s owner had surrendered to police and submitted a cheque worth Rs. 10 million for the affected family.
