Judicial probe into Mir Raza’s death deferred after family backs new police team

The Sindh government has deferred its decision to establish a judicial commission to investigate the mysterious death of Karachi youth Mir Raza Ali after his family expressed confidence in a newly constituted police investigation team.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said in a post on X on Monday that Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab had spoken to the mother of the deceased.

“The Sindh government had decided to conduct a judicial inquiry to ensure transparency and complete satisfaction of the family. However, after the constitution of the new police investigation team, the family is of the view that they have confidence in the new police team and that they should investigate,” Lanjar said.

He added that the decision to establish a judicial commission had therefore been “deferred for the time being.”

The development came after the family apparently raised objections to the proposed judicial commission.

Lanjar and Mayor Murtaza Wahab had met Mir Raza’s parents on Sunday night and offered condolences. Following the meeting, the provincial home minister had announced that the government would seek the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the case.

Lanjar had said the provincial government, on the recommendation of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, would write to the chief justice of the Sindh High Court requesting the formation of a judicial commission.

However, Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, later said the family did not support the proposal at the current stage.

In a letter addressed to the chief justice of the SHC on Monday, Mir Hussain opposed the proposed judicial commission and alleged that the Sindh government was attempting to make the matter controversial under the guise of a judicial inquiry.

He maintained that the government was seeking to evade the investigation and “hide behind” a judicial commission. According to him, the legal authority to investigate a criminal case rests with the police and the matter should therefore be investigated by the police.

The family has instead expressed confidence in the new police investigation team. Mir Hussain said DIG Aamir Farooqi was a well-reputed officer and that the family believed the new team would uncover the facts surrounding his son’s death.

Mir Raza’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, had also said a day earlier that the family had neither requested nor consented to the formation of a judicial commission.

“The family of Mir Raza has not requested/consented to any judicial commission nor do we believe it is required at this stage,” Nasir said, adding that a new investigation team had been formed and the family would meet it.

He urged the Sindh government not to create “hurdles or confusion” in the name of facilitating the family.

Forensic evidence

Meanwhile, investigators probing Mir Raza’s death have obtained what officials described as potentially significant evidence from his physical and chemical examination, Aaj News reported on Monday.

Investigative sources said crucial material had been recovered from the victim’s stomach and lungs. Officials also found unusual effects on his lungs, while sweat marks believed to belong to another person were reportedly recovered from his shirt.

Forensic reports concerning DNA and chemical analysis are awaited.

Investigators have also collected evidence from Mir Raza’s hands and feet, which they believe could help establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

As part of the expanding investigation, police have sealed a guest house near the location where Mir Raza’s body was found. Six employees associated with the guest house have also been taken into custody for questioning about activities on the night of the incident.

According to police sources, 21 people have so far been taken into custody in connection with the investigation, including some of Mir Raza’s close friends and business associates.

Investigators have issued questionnaires to those in custody and recorded their detailed statements as they seek to determine the circumstances leading to the young man’s death.