KARACHI: A sessions court on Tuesday ordered the investigation officer in the Gul Plaza fire case to record statements from all suspects, including traders’ union representatives, officials of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), and other relevant departments as part of the ongoing investigation.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (South) heard the interim bail applications of 11-year-old Huzaifa, his father Naimatullah, who owns an artificial flower shop, and Gul Plaza Traders Association President Tanveer Pasta along with association members Ammar Ismail and Muhammad Ramzan.

During the hearing, newly appointed Investigation Officer DSP Aamir appeared before the court and said the judicial magistrate had assigned him to conduct further investigation into the case.

DSP Aamir also asked the court to cancel the interim bail granted to the suspects.

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State prosecutor Rana M. Khalique requested the court to direct the suspects to record their statements before police under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He also urged the court to instruct the investigation officer to record statements from SBCA officials and officials of other relevant departments.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court directed the investigation officer to record statements from all suspects and the concerned officials before submitting a progress report on July 21.

Earlier, the judicial magistrate rejected the police charge sheet and instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigation) to appoint a DSP to conduct a fresh investigation into the case.