Hammad, Bharam not declared POs as fathers’ names ‘still unknown’

Two key suspects in the Tahir Plaza arson attack case – Hammad Siddiqui and Imran alias Saeed Bharam – have not been declared proclaimed offenders because the prosecution has yet to ascertain the exact names of their fathers.

This rather bizarre reason, cited by the investigation officer (IO) during Monday’s proceedings, angered an anti-terrorism court (ATC), which sought a report on March 3.

The two suspects, along with several other men, are facing charges of burning to death six people, including a lawyer, by setting fire to an office at Tahir Plaza near the city courts on April 9, 2008. 

Bharam, who is yet to be shown arrested in this case by the prosecution, is already in detention over several charges. He has recorded a statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, disclosing that the lawyer’s office was burnt on orders from Siddiqui, then in-charge of the Muttahida Qauma Movement’s Thanzeemi Committee. 

He said that when the office of advocate Altaf Abbasi was torched, the lawyer, two women and three other men were burnt alive.

He said the MQM leadership was unhappy with the lawyers for their attachment to the then deposed chief justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Two more accused, Nawab alias Dhobi and Nawab alias Motta, are absconding. 

The ATC directed the investigation officer to complete the necessary formalities to declare Siddiqui and Bharam proclaimed offenders and submit a report on March 3. It also issued non-bailable warrants for their arrest. 

Another anti-terrorism court indicted two MQM Liaquatabad Sector activists, Syed Razi Haider and Jamiluddin Khan, over charges of possession of illegal arms and explosive material. Both pleaded not guilty.

The two were arrested in the Super Market police limits last year. Considering their pleas, the court fixed March 9 to hear prosecution witnesses.