Police register FIR over deadly Peshawar school roof collapse
Police have registered a case following the deadly collapse at a private school in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, where more than 30 people, including children and a female teacher, lost their lives.
The case was registered at Agha Mir Jani Shah Police Station against the school’s owners, shareholders and the contractor responsible for constructing the building.
According to the first information report (FIR), the school building was allegedly constructed using substandard materials. The report also described the building as being in a deteriorated condition and unsuitable for use as an educational institution.
The allegations have raised serious questions about the building’s safety and whether the risks could have been identified before the tragedy.
FIR alleges earlier complaints about walls and roofs
The FIR states that concerns had previously been raised about the poor condition of the school’s walls and roofs.
According to the report, students had complained about the condition of the building, but the school administration and owners allegedly failed to address their concerns. These allegations are now part of the police case and will be examined during the investigation.
The claims have added to concerns about whether the school building was safe for children and staff. However, the allegations in the FIR do not, by themselves, establish criminal responsibility. Investigators will need to examine the available evidence to determine whether negligence or other violations contributed to the collapse.
Classroom roofs collapse, causing casualties
According to the FIR, the roof of a nursery classroom on the second floor and the roofs of rooms on the ground floor collapsed, causing deaths, injuries and damage to the building. The collapse occurred while children were attending classes, triggering a major emergency at the school.
Rescue teams and other emergency personnel responded to recover those trapped beneath the debris and transport the injured to hospitals for medical treatment. The tragedy has caused widespread grief and renewed calls for stricter safety checks on school buildings.
School built on a 16-marla plot
The FIR also contains details about the land on which the school was constructed. According to the case documents, the school stood on a 16-marla plot owned by Waheed and Javed. The land was reportedly leased in 2024, after which the school building was constructed.
Police have named the property owners, school shareholders, and construction contractor in the case. Their alleged roles and responsibilities will be examined as part of the investigation. The details of the land and construction are important because investigators will need to establish who was responsible for the building’s design, construction, maintenance and use as a school.
Police register the case under Pakistan Penal Code sections
The case includes Sections 322, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Section 322 concerns qatl-bis-sabab, or causing death through an act that leads to death without an intention to kill. Section 148 concerns rioting while armed with a deadly weapon, while Section 149 deals with the liability of members of an unlawful assembly for offences committed in pursuit of a common object.
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The inclusion of these provisions reflects the charges recorded in the FIR. The legal process will determine how they apply to the facts of the case and the individuals named in it. Police have registered the case as part of the response to the tragedy. Any determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
School safety concerns come under renewed scrutiny
The incident has highlighted the importance of ensuring that school buildings are structurally safe before they are used by students and teachers.
Cracks in walls, damaged roofs and other signs of structural weakness should be assessed by qualified professionals. Any problems identified during inspections should be addressed promptly.
Schools also need regular safety checks, proper maintenance and clear procedures for reporting building-related concerns.
The allegations recorded in the Peshawar FIR make it especially important to establish whether complaints were made, how they were handled, and whether any action could have prevented the collapse.
Investigation must establish responsibility
The police investigation will need to examine the quality of the construction materials, the building’s structural condition, and the responsibilities of those involved in its construction and management.
Investigators will also need to assess the complaints mentioned in the FIR and determine whether they were received and ignored.
The findings could help establish whether the collapse resulted from construction defects, poor maintenance, or other factors. Until the evidence has been assessed, the allegations against those named in the case must remain allegations.
