KARACHI – A Senior Civil Judge (West) has held the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) responsible for criminal negligence, ordering the utility provider to pay PKR 30 million in damages to a grieving family following a fatal gas leak explosion in 2022.
The Incident
The case dates back to October 2022, when a massive explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through a house in Millat Colony, Orangi Town. The blast resulted in the tragic deaths of the petitioner’s parents.
The Legal Battle
Representing the petitioner, Advocate Usman Farooq argued that the explosion was a direct result of the company’s failure to address multiple complaints regarding gas leakages in the area.
SSGC’s Defense The company claimed the leak did not originate from their pipeline and argued the petition was not maintainable. They further asserted that the petitioner was not a registered consumer of the company.
The Verdict
The court dismissed the company’s claims after an SSGC witness admitted under oath that the gas bill presented by the petitioner was authentic. In a scathing judgment, the court noted that as a gas distribution utility, SSGC is legally bound to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property. The court further ruled that the company failed to prevent the leakage despite being aware of the risks, leading to severe consequences.
“The gas distribution company is responsible for the protection of lives. Due to their failure to curb the leakage, a fatal explosion occurred,” the court observed.
Final Order
The court has directed SSGC to pay PKR 30 million as compensation to the plaintiff within one month.
