Mir Raza commission rejects family’s request to summon AIG Azad Khan, DIG Amir Farooqi

The Mir Raza judicial commission has rejected a plea to summon senior police officers in person to record their statement, directing the deceased's family to submit questions for the officers in writing instead.

The commission head Justice Omar Sial said that the family had requested the appearance of Additional Inspector General Karachi Azad Khan, DIG Amir Farooqi and DIG Farrukh Lanjar.

Justice Sial said that the commission had already informed the family on September 17 that senior police officers would not be summoned in person. The family could submit its questions for the officers in writing by November 26, he added.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Sial also expressed strong displeasure with the health secretary and director general health, observing that they were unlawfully interfering in the Mir Raza case by forming a medical board and making changes to its composition.

The commission also criticised the handling of the initial investigation, saying SSP Samiullah Soomro, who headed the first investigation team, had “ruined” the case within six days.

According to the commission, the first team obtained footage from only one of 52 cameras, while bushes at the crime scene were burned. It further said evidence was lost during the initial investigation and responsibility was shifted onto junior officials.