The ongoing investigation into the death of Mir Raza Ali, a young man whose body was discovered in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar with a gunshot wound, has taken a new turn. A judicial commission has called upon the Karachi police surgeon and other members involved in the medical board that supervised the exhumation of Ali’s body to appear at the next hearing.
Family’s Concerns and Initial Investigation
The circumstances surrounding the 25-year-old’s death have been clouded with allegations and suspicions. Ali’s family has accused the police of attempting to obscure the truth, suggesting that initial efforts were made to portray the case as a suicide.
Dr. Summaiyya Syed, the Karachi Police Surgeon, had previously criticized the initial autopsy’s findings, leading to the exhumation and a second post-mortem that contradicted the suicide theory.
Judicial Commission and Police Proceedings
The judicial commission, led by Justice Omar Sial of the Sindh High Court, is tasked with investigating potential negligence in the case. During a recent hearing, the commission summoned Ferozabad Station House Officer (SHO) Adeel Afzal and Gulistan-i-Jauhar police station Head Moharir Zeeshan to appear at the upcoming session on September 8.
Initially, the case was registered under kidnapping charges after Ali disappeared on July 28. His body was found the next day, prompting the addition of murder charges and the transfer of the investigation to the Zaman Town police station.
Challenges in the Investigation
Justice Sial expressed concerns over missing initial witness statements, which were supposed to be submitted by the police. Although some statements were later provided, the commission has requested further forensic and ballistic reports to be submitted.
Ali’s family has been vocal in their dissatisfaction with the investigative process. They initially objected to the reconstitution of the medical board and later sought the formation of an independent Joint Investigation Team (JIT) through the Sindh High Court.
Final Autopsy Findings
The final autopsy report confirmed that Ali’s death resulted from a gunshot wound to the back, ruling out suicide as the cause. The report detailed that the bullet entered through the back and exited through the chest, causing a cardiac rupture.
Despite the court’s dismissal of the family’s petition for a JIT, the judicial commission continues to pursue a comprehensive investigation into the case, ensuring all aspects are thoroughly examined.
