Mir Raza Case: FIA-Led Probe Recommended into Police Probe
News Desk
KARACHI: A judicial commission investigating the mysterious death of 25-year-old Mir Raza Ali has exposed serious shortcomings in the initial police investigation, describing the handling of the case as unprofessional and highlighting potential violations of legal procedures, suppression of evidence and failures in medico-legal processes.
The commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Umar Sial, has recommended the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), led by DIG Irfan Baloch, to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the case. The proposed team would include senior representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Sindh Rangers and National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), alongside the police.
The report was made public after the Sindh provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday, approved its release. Submitted to the provincial government on October 15, the report provides a detailed account of alleged investigative failures and raises questions about the conduct of senior police officers and changes made to the medical board responsible for the exhumation and second post-mortem examination.
Police investigation under scrutiny
According to the commission’s findings, Mir Raza Ali went missing after leaving his home in Karachi on July 28. His family reported his disappearance to Ferozabad Police Station the same day. His body was discovered on July 29 within the jurisdiction of Gulistan-e-Johar Police Station.
Police initially classified the death as suicide, but the family challenged that conclusion, pointing to apparent signs of violence on the body.
The commission found that investigators relied on unverified messages and selectively obtained video clips to reach preliminary conclusions before completing a thorough investigation. It criticized the police for maintaining their initial suicide theory despite concerns raised by the family and observations made by the police surgeon.
Following questions over the first post-mortem examination, a court ordered the exhumation of the body. A second post-mortem was conducted on August 8, with the report ruling out suicide and indicating that Mir Raza Ali had been shot from behind.
Subsequently, charges relating to murder and the destruction of evidence were added to the case.
The commission observed that the police’s continued insistence on the suicide theory, even after the second post-mortem findings emerged, reflected unprofessional conduct and undermined confidence in the investigation.
JIT proposed to restore public confidence
In response to a request from the victim’s family, the commission recommended establishing a JIT headed by DIG Irfan Baloch to investigate the death further.
The proposed inclusion of representatives from the ISI, IB, Sindh Rangers and NCCIA is intended to broaden the scope of the investigation and help establish the facts through a coordinated, impartial and evidence-based inquiry.
The commission said the formation of a JIT was essential to restoring public confidence and putting an end to speculation surrounding the case.
It also called on Sindh Police to acknowledge the shortcomings in its handling of the investigation, apologize to the public and initiate departmental proceedings against the officers found responsible.
Separate inquiry into the first 10 days
Beyond recommending a fresh investigation into the death, the commission called for a separate, high-level inquiry into the conduct of police officers involved in the initial 10 days of the investigation.
It proposed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) lead the inquiry committee, which would examine whether the officers concerned violated Sections 201, 166(2) or 218 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
These provisions concern offences relating to the disappearance of evidence, misconduct by public servants and the preparation of incorrect records or reports in certain circumstances.
The commission recommended departmental and criminal proceedings against officers if evidence establishes their responsibility for wrongdoing.
The report also highlighted instances in which senior police officers allegedly overlooked serious investigative flaws. In some cases, records of the questioning of key individuals were reportedly not maintained.
While the commission did not reach a definitive conclusion that facts had been deliberately concealed, it said the possibility of evidence being suppressed during the initial investigation could not be entirely ruled out.
It further warned that key material evidence had been compromised, making a comprehensive, intelligence-led investigation necessary to bring the case to a logical conclusion.
Controversy over medical board changes
The report also raised serious concerns about the reconstitution of the medical board responsible for the exhumation and second post-mortem examination.
According to the commission, an eight-member medical board headed by Dr Samia Saeed was constituted on August 6. However, the Sindh Health Department changed its composition the following day, reducing the number of members to five.
The change led to a delay in the exhumation after Mir Raza Ali’s family rejected the reconstituted board. Following public pressure and the issuance of legal notices, the original eight-member board was reinstated, allowing the exhumation to proceed on August 8.
The commission described the abrupt alteration of the board as illegal and inexplicable, noting that the relevant authorities had failed to provide a plausible justification for the decision.
It also pointed to the alleged involvement of senior Health Department officials in the change, specifically noting the roles of the Health Secretary and the Special Secretary for Health.
The findings raise broader questions about the independence of medico-legal procedures and the role of administrative authorities in a case where the cause and circumstances of death were disputed.
15 hearings, examines 49 witnesses
During its proceedings, the judicial commission held 15 hearings, recorded statements from 49 witnesses and visited the location where Mir Raza Ali’s body was found.
Its report examines multiple aspects of the case, including the initial police investigation, the handling of medical evidence, the post-mortem procedures and allegations of negligence by officials.
The commission’s recommendations now place responsibility on the relevant authorities to determine whether investigative failures resulted from incompetence, procedural violations or deliberate wrongdoing.
The proposed JIT and separate inquiry into the initial investigation are intended to establish accountability, address concerns over compromised evidence and clarify the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza Ali’s death.
The findings represent the commission’s assessment of the investigation and its recommendations for further action. Any criminal liability of the officers concerned would need to be established through the relevant legal proceedings.
