A Karachi court has ordered the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and District Municipal Corporation (DMC) Central (Shadman) to provide Rs9.9 million in compensation to a man who endured the tragic loss of his wife and two-month-old son, Azlan, during the heavy monsoon rains of 2022.
The devastating accident occurred in Karachi’s Shadman area when the family, traveling on a motorcycle, plunged into an uncovered drain without any safety barriers, leading to the drowning of the mother and her infant. Tragically, the body of the two-month-old was never found, deepening the family’s sorrow.
Senior Civil Judge Zaheer Hussain Mangi delivered the judgment, declaring that KMC and DMC Central were negligent in their duty to ensure safe public infrastructure. The court determined that the municipal authorities’ failure to properly maintain and secure the drainage system during the monsoon season directly caused the fatal incident.
Advocate Usman Farooq, the plaintiff’s lawyer, argued that the absence of protective measures, such as drain covers or barriers, constituted a clear violation of the municipal bodies’ responsibility to safeguard citizens. The judge highlighted that this negligence was responsible for the catastrophic loss of life.
The court’s decision requires KMC and DMC Central to pay over Rs 9.9 million in damages to the heirs of the deceased to compensate for their profound loss.
This case sheds light on persistent problems with Karachi’s drainage infrastructure, as similar incidents, such as vehicles being swept away in drains in areas like Saidpur during heavy rainfall, have raised serious concerns about the city’s civic management.
The ruling serves as a strong reminder of the urgent need for improved maintenance and safety protocols to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies in the future.
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