DNA samples finally reach Karachi University lab in Mir Raza murder case

A significant development has emerged in the high-profile Mir Raza Ali murder case as six DNA samples have finally been received by the University of Karachi’s forensic laboratory for testing, following reports of delays and alleged negligence in the handling of key forensic evidence, Aaj News reported on Tuesday.

According to police sources, four of the samples were collected from the body exhumed during the investigation, while two were obtained from Mir Raza’s parents to serve as reference samples for identification.

The DNA test report is expected to be issued at the earliest, which could scientifically establish whether the body recovered after the exhumation is that of Mir Raza.

The development comes after serious concerns were raised over the handling of forensic evidence. As many as 17 forensic samples were reportedly collected during the exhumation carried out on Saturday, but several days passed before the samples were sent to the laboratory.

Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq said all the samples had been handed over to the investigation officer and that ensuring their timely delivery to the laboratory was entirely the responsibility of the investigating officer.

The current investigation officer, Ghanzafar Ali, said he had only recently been included in the investigation committee and was not part of the previous team. He therefore could not comment on the delay in transferring the samples, but said the new investigation team had formally begun its work.

Expressing serious concern over the delay, lawyer Jibran Nasir, representing the victim’s family, said reports that DNA and other crucial forensic samples had not reached the laboratory in time were extremely worrying.

He warned that the investigating officers would have to explain the delay and said any negligence or bad faith in the preservation of forensic evidence would have serious consequences.

Nasir said no lapse in the investigation would be tolerated and added that both he and the police surgeon had previously pointed out major errors in the first post-mortem report.

Welcoming the formation of the new investigation team, Nasir said the government had now acknowledged that Mir Raza’s case was one of murder rather than suicide.

He said the previous team’s insistence on the suicide theory had severely damaged its credibility, warning that if the new team also failed to make progress, the family would approach the courts.

According to Nasir, police have been provided with information about all suspects and other key aspects of the case. He said the direction of the investigation would become clearer within the next three to four days.

Mir Raza went missing from Ferozabad on July 28, and his body was found the following day near a guesthouse in Gulistan-e-Johar. Police initially treated the death as a suspected suicide.

However, an exhumation ordered by the court and a second post-mortem examination subsequently raised serious questions over the initial account.

A medical board report found that Mir Raza had suffered severe physical trauma, including fractures to his ribs, teeth and skull. The report also stated that he had been shot from behind, following which a murder charge was added to the case.

The investigation team is also examining Mir Raza’s mobile phone records. According to the records, he spoke to a person named Ali and his friend Abdullah shortly before his death. Eight messages were also found on his phone that had received no response.