A local court has ordered the Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) Orangi Town to pay over Rs. 15 million in compensation to the legal heirs of a man who died after falling into an open nullah during heavy rainfall.
Senior Civil Judge West held TMC Orangi Town responsible for negligence in the incident, while clearing the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) of any liability.
The victim’s family had filed a compensation claim through Advocate Usman Farooq under the Fatal Accidents Act, 1855, against both civic bodies.
According to the petition, the deceased, identified as Arif, was returning home during heavy rain on July 26, 2020, when he fell into an uncovered nullah due to poor maintenance and the absence of proper safety measures. He suffered severe injuries and died on the spot.
The court observed that Arif was young, unmarried, and in good health. It ruled that TMC Orangi Town’s negligence and failure to take preventive steps, including covering dangerous nullahs and manholes, led to the loss of a valuable human life.
“The sudden death occurred due to the negligent and careless conduct of the TMC,” the court stated in its ruling.
During the proceedings, TMC Orangi Town denied the allegations and claimed that all necessary safety arrangements had been made during the rains. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court directed the civic body to pay compensation exceeding Rs. 15 million to the victim’s family.