Karachi man sued KWSC for 6 crore for his son's death in manhole

A Karachi man named Atifuddin has sued Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) and KMC for carelessness that took his son’s life. KMC refers to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.

A 6-year-old son of Atifuddin, Abyan fell into an open manhole last year. Abyan was a KG-II student. He was playing cricket with his 10-year-old brother Arib. When he slipped and fell into an open manhole, and ultimately died.

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After this tragic incident, Karachi man Atifuddin filed a case and sued KWSC and KMC in court yesterday, seeking more than 6 crore Pakistani rupees compensation from KWSB and KMC for their negligence.

Following the death of Abyan, the victim’s father Atifuddin filed a petition to the senior civil judge (East Karachi) claiming approximately Rs 6 crore in damages under the Fatal Accidents Act, 1855 from KWSB and KMC.

Atiffuddin filed this petition through lawyer Usman Farooq. Usman said the deceased child Abyan aspired to be a doctor in the future. He received a Grade-A on his previous exam. However, the negligence and failure of KMC and KWSB to properly maintain the manholes resulted in the death of Abyan.

Usman also argued that KWSB was a legal organization responsible for producing, transmitting, and distributing water to Karachi residents. As well as regulating the sewerage system of Karachi to ensure environmental hygiene.

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Lawyer Usman further said the accused KWSB and KMC were required to construct, clean, properly maintain, and cover manholes in Karachi under water and sewerage rules and regulations.

He also referred to the recommendations of the Federal Ombudsman to cover open manholes to prevent accidents. He emphasized the accused organizations ignored those warnings. The ombudsman is a government official who investigates complaints made by people against public officials.

According to Usman, KWSB and KMC breached their duty of care to the public by failing to take the necessary steps to reduce the risk. Even though they were fully aware of how dangerous open manholes were.