Key Takeaways
- A sessions court granted interim pre-arrest bail to Sohail Lashari, CEO of Sozo Water Park.
- The decision came in a case related to the death of a 9-year-old girl at the water park.
- Lashari is required to join the investigation and police have been restrained from arresting him.
A sessions court in Lahore has granted interim pre-arrest bail to Sohail Lashari, CEO of Sozo Water Park, until August 1. The decision was made following a case involving the death of a 9-year-old girl at the recreational facility.
Additional District & Sessions Judge Nasir Mahmood Sial heard Lashari’s bail petition on Saturday. During the hearing, the judge directed Lashari to join the ongoing investigation and ordered the police to submit the case record for the next hearing. He also issued a restraining order against the police from arresting Lashari until further notice.
The Batapur Police registered the case after the tragic incident occurred when the girl became trapped in a drainage pipe of a swimming pool at Sozo Water Park due to alleged negligence by staff members. The district administration had subsequently sealed the park, and three officials were arrested.
In his ruling, Judge Sial stated that Lashari must cooperate with the investigation but allowed him interim bail until the next hearing date. The judge emphasized the importance of Lashari’s presence during the proceedings to ensure a fair and thorough examination of the case.
Lashari's legal representative expressed gratitude for the court's decision, stating, “We are pleased that our client has been granted interim bail. We will now focus on ensuring his full cooperation with the investigation.”
The case highlights ongoing concerns about safety standards at recreational facilities in Pakistan and the need for stringent measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Legal experts have commented on the court’s decision, noting that it is a balanced approach aimed at allowing the investigation to proceed while ensuring the CEO's rights are protected. They added that Lashari will now be required to maintain regular communication with law enforcement and cooperate fully during the proceedings.
We are pleased that our client has been granted interim bail.
Sohail Lashari’s legal representative, Legal representative
