SC sets aside death penalty in Baldia factory fire case

The Supreme Court has acquitted two men who were previously sentenced to death in the Baldia factory fire case. The verdict overturned earlier decisions of

The Supreme Court has acquitted two men who were previously sentenced to death in the Baldia factory fire case. The verdict overturned earlier decisions of both the trial court and the Sindh High Court.

A three-member bench announced the decision after hearing appeals filed by the accused. The court ruled that weaknesses in the evidence and legal complications in the case entitled the accused to the benefit of the doubt.

The tragic factory fire occurred on September 11, 2012, at a garment factory in Baldia Town. More than 260 workers lost their lives when a massive blaze engulfed the multi-storey building. The incident remains one of the deadliest industrial disasters in the country’s history.

During the hearings, the Supreme Court closely examined the prosecution’s evidence. The bench raised questions about the reliability of certain confessional statements and pointed to contradictions in witness accounts and other evidence presented during the trial.

The judges observed that several legal and factual issues had not been satisfactorily resolved. They noted that the case had become increasingly complex due to the involvement of multiple legal and political dimensions.

The court concluded that the prosecution had failed to remove reasonable doubt regarding the guilt of the accused. As a result, the death sentences were set aside and both men were acquitted.

The bench also disposed of a petition seeking the removal of certain judicial observations from previous rulings. The court held that once the original judgment was overturned, those observations no longer carried legal significance.

In addition, applications seeking to make the heirs of the deceased victims parties to the proceedings were rejected. The court observed that including a large number of additional parties could unnecessarily delay the conclusion of the case.

The ruling marks a significant turn in a case that has remained under judicial scrutiny for more than a decade. Earlier courts had upheld the conviction of the accused, citing forensic reports and witness testimony that supported the prosecution’s version of events.

With the latest verdict, the Supreme Court has brought an important chapter of the long-running case to a close. However, the Baldia factory tragedy continues to be remembered as a devastating incident that highlighted serious concerns regarding industrial safety, worker protection, and the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.