Rangers seek indictment of Rauf Siddiqui in Baldia factory fire case

KARACHI: Sindh Rangers on Monday have filed a request in an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) to indict Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Rauf Siddiqui in the Baldia factory fire case.

The paramilitary force has adopted a stance that it is important to investigate the MQM leader in light of Rehman Bhola’s revelation during an interrogation.

Rangers’ prosecutor Sajid Mehboob asserted that Siddiqui’s name has also been mentioned in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT)’s report in the case.

According to the prosecutor, Bhola has disclosed his involvement in the incident that claimed over 250 lives back in 2012.

On the other hand, police admitted lack of proofs against Siddiqui to substantiate claims of his involvement in a report submitted to the court.

During interrogation with an investigation team, prime accused Bhola had confessed that he deliberately set ablaze the Ali Enterprise factory after receiving instructions from party leader Hammad Siddiqui.

The accused revealed that the instructions were given due to non-payment of Rs250 million extortion to the party.

Rahman was arrested in Bangkok by Interpol and later brought back to the country by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in December 2016.