KARACHI: Three separate petitions have been filed in a Karachi sessions court demanding the registration of a murder case over the death of three-year-old Ibrahim, who fell into an open manhole near the NIPA flyover late Sunday night.
The petitions — submitted by Sheikh Saqib Ahmed, Abdul Ahad, and Amir Ali — name the Karachi mayor, the relevant town chairman, the BRT contractor, and the managing director of the Water Corporation as respondents.
According to Ahmed’s plea, Edhi Foundation data shows that at least 23 citizens have died this year alone after falling into uncovered drains, underscoring what the petitioners call a long-standing pattern of official negligence.
The petitions note that rescue efforts were significantly delayed, leaving residents to hire heavy machinery themselves in a desperate attempt to retrieve the child. They request that a murder case be registered against the officials concerned and that an SP-rank officer be appointed to lead a fair and transparent investigation.
“Order a competent police officer not below the rank of SP to determine the individual responsibility of each accused person,” the petitions state. They further urge the court to direct the SHO and SSP East to ensure full legal protection for Ibrahim’s family.
The petitioners also seek guarantees that no municipal authority, contractor, or representative will pressure, coerce, harass, or threaten the bereaved family into a compromise or to obstruct legal proceedings.
Ibrahim was recovered 14 hours after he fell into the manhole. According to his father, the child had run ahead after slipping his hand free before accidentally falling into the uncovered opening. The boy’s grandfather, Mehmoodul Hasan, said Ibrahim was the couple’s only son.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with social media users criticising the authorities for their repeated failure to cover manholes. Lawmakers in the Sindh Assembly also condemned the government, with some demanding the resignation of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.
Amid mounting criticism, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon called the incident “criminal negligence” and extended condolences to the family. Mayor Wahab, while expressing sympathy, announced an inquiry and said politics was being played over the tragedy.
