Baldia Factory case: SHC allows recording owners' statement through video link

Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday dismissed the plea of Rahman Bhola, accused of Baldia Factory case, against the permission to record the testimony of factory owners through video link. A division bench of SHC, which is hearing the plea ordered recording statement of Shahid Bhaila and Arshad Bhaila, the owners of Baldia Factory through video link from abroad.
Justice Salahuddin Pahnwar said it is necessary to provide protection to the witnesses in this extremely dangerous case. "The plight of complainant in a case in the country is in the knowledge of everyone and anybody can request for recording his statement through video link", Justice Pahnwar observed.
During the hearing, special public prosecutor told the bench that factory owners have left the country in year 2014 and are reluctant to return due to life threats. Accused Rahman Bhola challenged the decision of Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), granting permission to the owners of Baldia Factory to give their statement through video link in this case.
Counsel for Bhola argued that factory owners should appear in person before the court to record their statement because the law & order situation in the country has been improved. Government attorney argued against the plea of Bhola and requested the court to reject it and allow the recording the statement through video link in this particular case. Bench observed that the arguments of counsel of accused against recording of statement via video link hold no ground and said protection of witnesses in some cases is very important by rejecting the plea of Bhola.
The fire at Baldia Factory took lives of more than 250 people in 2012 and later joint investigation team (JIT) revealed that factory was set on fire after factory owners refused to pay the extortion money. Meanwhile, SHC bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that proper legislation is required for appointment of private security guards and their duty hours while hearing the case pertaining to lack of legislation on appointment of security guards by private security agencies.
In his remarks, Justice Mazhar said appointing private security guards is an evolving issue and ruled that court would look into this issue, which is of serious nature. Court also observed that long duty hours of private security guards make them exhausted and often they are found sleeping during duty hours.