Mir Raza murder case: Sindh cabinet approves JIT, Judicial commission report to be released

The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved the public release of the judicial commission’s report into the murder of entrepreneur Mir Raza Ali

KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved the public release of the judicial commission’s report into the murder of entrepreneur Mir Raza Ali and endorsed the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate the case in accordance with the commission’s recommendations.

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, according to the chief minister’s spokesperson. The report, submitted in seven sealed envelopes containing four volumes, is scheduled to be uploaded to the Sindh Home Department’s official website, while a copy will also be handed over to the deceased’s family.

The cabinet further constituted a four-member sub-committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the commission’s findings and facilitating the notification of the JIT. The committee comprises Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and the Advocate General Sindh.

The judicial inquiry was conducted by a one-member commission headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial. Established on August 24, the commission examined 49 witnesses during 15 hearings before completing its investigation. The commission’s registrar handed over the inquiry report, along with supporting documents, to Additional Secretary Home Javed Ahmed Abro last week.

According to a leaked executive summary of the report, the commission identified several alleged shortcomings in the initial investigation. It observed that crucial evidence had not been preserved during the first six days following the incident. Investigators were also criticised for failing to obtain CCTV footage from dozens of cameras that could potentially have provided important information about the circumstances surrounding the murder.

The report further raised concerns about the preservation of the crime scene, noting that bushes were burned during efforts to locate bullet casings. Such actions, according to the reported findings, may have affected the collection and preservation of important forensic evidence.

The commission also questioned the health department’s decision to change the medical board shortly before the exhumation, reportedly without lawful authority. Additionally, it took note of a smear campaign targeting Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed.

The initial post-mortem examination was conducted by Dr Osama Sheikh. However, a second examination carried out by Dr Summaiya Syed following the exhumation reportedly detected traces of anaesthesia, carbon and lead. The examination also indicated a bullet trajectory from the back towards the chest, raising further questions about the circumstances of Mir Raza’s death.

The cabinet’s decision follows repeated demands by the victim’s family for the inquiry findings to be made public and for a fresh investigation to be conducted.

Speaking outside the Sindh High Court on Monday, Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain Ali, and the family’s counsel, Jibran Nasir, said they had written to the chief minister on October 12 seeking the release of the report but had received no response. They warned that the family would approach the court if the findings were withheld.

In a 10-page letter, the family’s counsel called for a JIT comprising officers from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Rangers, intelligence agencies and the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC). The proposed team, according to the demand, should consist of officials with no previous involvement in the case and should reassess all forensic, digital and medical evidence while investigating possible mishandling of evidence.

The cabinet’s approval marks a significant development in the case, with the publication of the report and the formation of the JIT expected to bring renewed scrutiny to the investigation and address the concerns raised by the family.