Sindh cabinet decides to form judicial commission to probe Mir Raza’s death

The Sindh Cabinet has decided to establish a judicial commission to conduct investigation into the death of Karachi-based young businessman and IBA graduate Mir Raza Ali, Aaj News reported on Sunday.

The Sindh government has formally written to the chief justice of the Sindh High Court, requesting the formation of a judicial commission to inquire into the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to the spokesperson for the Sindh chief minister, the provincial government has taken the concerns raised by Mir Raza’s family seriously. The chief minister has also expressed his condolences and solidarity with the bereaved family.

The spokesperson said the commission would examine all aspects of the case, including any shortcomings in the investigation, important unanswered questions and evidence requiring further inquiry.

It would also review the role of police officials, medico-legal officers and other relevant authorities. If negligence, dereliction of duty, professional misconduct or tampering with evidence is established, the commission may recommend appropriate action.

The commission would have the authority to recommend further investigation and forensic analysis. Under the Sindh Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, it would have powers similar to those of a civil court, including summoning witnesses, recording statements on oath and requisitioning documents and official records.

The chief minister has directed all government departments, institutions and officials to extend full cooperation to the commission. The Home Department will provide the commission with the necessary secretarial support.

The spokesperson said the commission is expected to submit its report, findings and recommendations to the Sindh government within 30 days of its formation. The period may be extended if required to ensure a complete and fair inquiry.

The spokesperson said the commission would have the authority to review the investigation procedure and the role of relevant officials and recommend action in accordance with the law.

However, Mir Raza’s family has rejected the government’s decision to establish a judicial commission and has expressed serious reservations over the move.

Mir Raza’s father said the family had not been consulted before the decision was taken. He said the family would pursue the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) and approach the Sindh High Court on Monday to seek a different course of investigation.

The family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, also said the family would move the Sindh High Court seeking opposition to the judicial commission and requesting the formation of a JIT.

Mir Raza’s father said the family rejected the judicial commission because, in their view, investigating a murder case was not the commission’s role. He called for justice for his son and said the family would continue its legal efforts.

The Sindh government had previously announced on August 9 that it would constitute a judicial commission to investigate Mir Raza’s mysterious death. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar had assured the family of full cooperation and said the matter would be investigated by a high court judge.

The family had subsequently rejected the proposal, with Mir Raza’s father alleging that the government was attempting to make the matter controversial in the name of a judicial inquiry.

Case background

Twenty-five-year-old Mir Raza Ali, a young Karachi businessman and IBA graduate, went missing from the Ferozabad area on July 28. His body was recovered the following day, July 29, near a guesthouse in Gulistan-e-Johar.

Police initially treated the incident as a suspected suicide. However, following the family’s insistence and a court order, the body was exhumed and a second post-mortem was conducted. The subsequent examination revealed multiple injuries and signs of trauma, significantly changing the direction of the investigation.

According to police officials, Mir Raza’s body was found in a severely damaged condition and had a gunshot wound to the chest. His social media accounts had also reportedly been deactivated a day before his body was recovered.

The preliminary medical findings from the post-mortem conducted after the August 8 exhumation reportedly showed signs of violence, including fractures to the ribs, injuries to the head and face, and a fracture and wound measuring about 12 centimetres on the right thigh.

The report also noted injuries to the jaw, nose and other parts of the face. The preliminary findings were reportedly different from those contained in the initial post-mortem report.

An abduction case was initially registered at Ferozabad police station. Following the emergence of the post-mortem findings and other evidence, Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to murder, was subsequently added to the case.

Police questioned several people during the investigation and constituted a special investigation team. CCTV footage reportedly showed a suspicious motorcycle briefly stopping near the location where the body was found, prompting investigators to examine different aspects of the case.

A major development came when the Karachi police surgeon identified 14 serious shortcomings in the initial post-mortem examination. These reportedly included the failure to conduct an X-ray of the body, collect hand samples for gunshot residue analysis, properly measure and photograph injuries for forensic purposes, and obtain DNA samples for identification.

Mir Raza’s family has maintained from the outset that he was murdered and has repeatedly raised concerns about the investigation.

The decision to establish a judicial commission comes amid continuing questions over the investigation, the post-mortem process and the handling of evidence.

The recovery of the weapon allegedly used in the incident, questions surrounding potentially lost or compromised evidence, and the identification of any police officials responsible for investigative lapses remain key challenges for the authorities.