Anti-Terrorism Court on Wednesday remanded Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Bhola, the man suspected of starting a devastating factory fire in Karachi four years ago killing 257 people, in police custody till December 19.
The court expressed resentment over non-appointment of Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) as the investigation officer.
Rahman pleaded not guilty in the court. “The allegations hurled at me are false. Asghar Baig had set the factory on fire,” he said.
Abdul Rehman, 46, was detained by Thai Interpol at a hotel in the red light district Nana area of the Bangkok on Friday evening.
Later, he was brought back to Karachi by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday.
A two-member FIA team went to Thailand on Sunday to get custody of Abdul Rahman. After reaching Thailand the team requested access to Bhola, who was under treatment at a hospital of Bangkok prison for having kidney problems.
The FIA had constituted a two-member team comprising Deputy Director Badar Baloch and Inspector Rehmatullah Domki for Bhola’s extradition to Pakistan. The team arrived in Thailand along with documents and legal records pertaining to the Baldia factory tragedy, for taking custody of Rahman.
He said several other Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members were also involved in the heinous act.
The gang burned down the Ali Enterprises factory in September 2012 when the owners refused to pay Rs25 crore extortion.