The Lahore roof collapse investigation entered a new phase on Wednesday after police registered a criminal case against three property owners and a construction worker following the tragedy that claimed the lives of 14 children and left eight others injured in Kahna.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), filed at Kahna Police Station on the complaint of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation Enforcement Inspector Kashif Aslam, the case has been registered under Sections 322 and 337-H of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to causing death by negligence and causing hurt through a rash or negligent act.
Police named four suspects in the FIR: property owners Usman, Faizan and Rehan, along with construction worker Umair, who was carrying out repair work at the building. The FIR states that Rehan’s wife, Aamila, was operating a tuition centre in the house and was injured in the incident, but she has not been named as an accused.
According to investigators, repair work continued while children were attending classes inside the tuition centre. The FIR alleges that construction material had been placed on the roof despite its already weakened and dilapidated condition, adding excessive weight that ultimately caused the structure to collapse.
Police said evidence collected from the scene indicates that negligence during the repair work may have led to the fatal incident. Authorities added that further investigations are underway to determine the legal responsibility of those named in the case.
The Lahore roof collapse occurred a day earlier in Basti Eid Gah near Qurban School on Ferozepur Road, where dozens of children were attending tuition classes when the roof of a room inside a residential building suddenly caved in. Rescue teams recovered victims from the debris while the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered an inquiry into the incident, directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured, and sought a detailed report to determine responsibility. The Lahore roof collapse has renewed concerns about building safety, unauthorized tuition centres, and construction practices in residential areas.
