Sindh govt vows to uncover ‘all facts’ behind Mir Raza’s murder

The Sindh government has decided to form a judicial commission to investigate the murder of young businessman Mir Raza Ali, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, the mayor said that the commission would be headed by Sindh High Court Justice Umar Siyal and would have 30 days to investigate the case. He said the commission would examine the facts and circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death and determine whether there had been any negligence, dereliction of duty or concealment of evidence during the investigation.

The commission would also investigate any alleged tampering with evidence or other illegal actions and recommend further forensic and legal investigations, he added.

The mayor said that the decision to establish the judicial commission was taken after the family raised concerns over the police investigation and conflicting medical reports. He said an initial five-member investigation team had been formed to probe the case, but a new team was constituted after doubts and discrepancies emerged.

Murtaza said that a new investigation team was formed under the leadership of DIG Amir Farooq. He said the family’s concerns were the government’s priority and that all facts and motives behind Mir Raza’s death must be brought before the public.

“We want to talk about facts rather than allegations and speculation,” the mayor said, adding that all legal measures would be taken to uncover the truth. He said that the police investigation and the judicial commission’s inquiry would proceed simultaneously and the formation of the commission would not affect the police investigation.

He said that the police would complete their investigation and submit a report under Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to the court, while the commission’s findings would assist the police investigation.

Murtaza Wahab said the decision to establish the judicial commission had initially been deferred to address the concerns of Mir Raza’s family. He said the deceased’s lawyer had written to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on August 19, expressing doubts about the police investigation and government institutions. The chief minister reviewed the case on August 21, following which questions were raised about the first investigation team, he added.