Dr Summaiya reveals fresh details in Mir Raza case

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya has told the judicial commission investigating the Mir Raza case that the young man had suffered injuries to his head and a broken nasal bone, adding that the wounds were inflicted before his death.

Recording her statement before the judicial commission, Dr Summaiya said there was an injury mark on the back of Mir Raza’s head, apparently caused by a hard object. She said the nature of the wound indicated that it had been inflicted while he was still alive.

Dr Summaiya further stated that the decomposition of Mir Raza’s face was different from that of the rest of his body. She said there were signs of chemical burns on his body, including his hands and feet.

According to the police surgeon, a mark on Mir Raza’s chest had initially been described as the entry point of a bullet, but that assessment was incorrect. She explained that the bullet had fractured his ribs and caused serious damage to his lungs and heart.

Dr Summaiya said the injuries indicated that the bullet had entered from the back and travelled towards the heart before exiting through the front. She added that the reports confirmed the presence of an entry wound at the back of the body.

She also told the commission that hydrochloric acid was detected on Mir Raza’s shirt. According to her, the chemical burn marks on his hands and feet were consistent with the use of a chemical substance.

Dr Summaiya said the post-mortem report contained only those findings on which all members of the medical team had agreed.

Calling it an unusual case, Dr Summaiya said she had never before encountered a case involving alleged chemical torture during her professional career.

She further stated that while the available evidence could establish the nature and direction of the injuries, it could also be determined that anaesthesia was present in Mir Raza’s body when he was shot.