Mir Raza case: police, judicial commission probes to proceed separately: Murtaza Wahab

KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Monday said that the judicial commission formed to investigate the death of young businessman Mir Raza Ali would examine the role of all relevant departments and officials, while the police investigation would continue separately.

Speaking at a press conference, Wahab said that the government’s primary objective was to satisfy the bereaved family and ensure that all facts surrounding Mir Raza’s death were brought to light.

He said that the judicial commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, had been given a proposed timeframe of 30 days to submit its findings to the Sindh government.

Wahab said that the police would fully cooperate with the judicial commission, while the Sindh government would provide all necessary assistance through the home department.

He said that the commission’s terms of reference (ToRs) were important as the government had asked it to examine the role of all relevant departments and officials.

The Karachi mayor said that the police investigation team, headed by DIG Amir Farooqui, would continue its probe independently alongside the judicial commission.

He said the commission would assist in examining four key terms of reference, while the police investigation would continue separately.

Family’s concerns led to judicial commission

Wahab said that the incident occurred on July 28 and came to light on July 29, after which the police department began its investigation.

The Karachi police chief initially constituted a special investigation team, but concerns emerged after the medico-legal officer’s report was shared with the police and the police surgeon gave different findings, he said.

“This created doubts,” Wahab said, adding that an impression emerged that the initial police investigation team might not have been conducting the probe properly.

The police chief subsequently decided to change the investigation team and constituted a new one, he said.

Wahab said the family had expressed a lack of confidence in the police investigation, following which the government decided on August 9 to consider the formation of a judicial commission.

He said that he and the Sindh home minister visited Mir Raza’s family and conveyed the government’s position to them.

“We told the family that we wanted to bring anyone involved in this case to justice,” Wahab said, adding that the parents had demanded justice and expressed confidence after their meeting with government representatives.

He said that Mir Raza’s mother had told him that she believed the police were taking the case towards a suicide narrative.

According to Wahab, he assured her that it was the government’s responsibility to satisfy the family.

He said that Mir Raza’s mother later messaged him that night, saying the family did not want a judicial commission at that stage.

Wahab said that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the provincial home minister subsequently decided that the government would respect the family’s wishes and the decision regarding the judicial commission was deferred.

New probe team worked with family

The Karachi mayor said that the new investigation team began working with the family on August 12.

He said that individuals about whom the family had raised suspicions were summoned by the investigation team and examined from different angles.

Police officers also visited the crime scene with members of the family, while the investigation team remained in regular contact with the family, he said.

“We expected that things would now move towards a resolution and that we would be able to share the facts with the family,” Wahab said.

However, he said a letter was suddenly sent to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah by the family’s lawyer on August 19.

According to Wahab, the lawyer stated that the police, inspector general and interior minister had “completely failed” and also expressed concerns about the chief minister.

The lawyer also demanded an inquiry into the police, he said.

Wahab said that the Sindh chief minister held a meeting on August 21, attended by the chief secretary, inspector general of police and members of the investigation team.

The chief minister sought an explanation regarding the concerns raised by the family’s lawyer, he said.

“The government’s priority is to satisfy the family,” Wahab said.

He said that the chief minister subsequently considered it appropriate to refer the matter to a judicial commission so that a high court judge could examine the case.

“The purpose of having a high court judge conduct the inquiry is also to bring to light any shortcomings relating to the police,” Wahab said.

The provincial cabinet approved the proposal and a letter was sent to the Sindh High Court chief justice on August 22, he said.

The chief justice subsequently appointed Justice Umar Sial to head the judicial commission on Monday.

Forensic reports awaited

The mayor said that the family had requested forensic examination of three items at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency.

Reports concerning the SIM cards, Apple Watch and mobile phone were expected soon, he said.

Wahab added that DIG Amir Farooqui had also contacted Apple and Meta to obtain relevant data.

He said the investigation was being conducted transparently and all available avenues were being explored.

He said that the home secretary would provide administrative support to the judicial commission, while the government would extend all necessary cooperation, he added.

Police probe to continue

Wahab stressed that the police investigation would continue independently despite the formation of the judicial commission.

He said the commission would examine the matters covered by its ToRs while the investigation team headed by DIG Amir Farooqui would continue gathering evidence.

He said statements from Dr Osama had been recorded and the authorities had also spoken to police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq.

Wahab said the name of Siraj Lashari had been included in the investigation at the request of his lawyer.

He declined to comment on the role of the family’s lawyer, saying the lawyer could hold two or three press conferences a day if he wished.

“Justice is ultimately delivered by the courts,” Wahab said, adding that the government’s responsibility was to ensure that all facts were brought before the relevant forum.

“We have to deliver justice to a mother,” he said.

Wahab also said there had so far been no mention of a JIT from the family’s side, adding that the government had respected the family’s opinion throughout the process.

He said the appointment of a judge to head the commission was aimed at ensuring an impartial inquiry.

“Whatever the facts are, they will be brought to light,” he said.

Wahab said the investigation team had met Mir Raza’s family several times.

He said that when he first visited the family, Mir Raza’s mother expressed concern for her daughter.

Wahab said the government had offered security to the family.

He said two vehicles identified by Mir Raza’s sister had been checked during the investigation, but no suspicious material was found in them.

“We still tell the family to share whatever concerns they have with us, and we will provide them protection,” Wahab said.

SHC forms judicial commission as family challenges move

The development comes as the Sindh High Court on Monday constituted the judicial commission on the provincial government’s request.

Earlier in the day, the SHC accepted for urgent hearing a petition filed by Mir Raza’s parents challenging the formation of the judicial commission.

The court issued notices to 19 respondents for August 31, according to Advocate Mir Hussain, counsel for the deceased’s parents.

The family has opposed the judicial commission and sought the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death.

The latest developments mean that the judicial commission will proceed with its inquiry while the family’s challenge to its formation remains before the SHC.