The judicial commission investigating the murder of Mir Raza conducted its 11th hearing in Karachi on Thursday, summoning Sindh Health Secretary Tahir Sangi and SSP Samiullah Soomro for questioning. The commission focused on the replacement of the medical board and alleged deficiencies in the probe into the death of the young businessman.
Justice Omar Sial, heading the commission, began by questioning Sangi about his professional background, noting that his name had been mentioned by two witnesses, which led to his summons. Sangi explained his experience working in various departments across Punjab and Sindh. When asked about Dr. Osama Sheikh, Sangi confirmed that he worked under him. Justice Sial expressed concern over Dr. Osama’s controversial conduct and criticized Sangi for not seeking an explanation from him, emphasizing that such behavior was unacceptable.
The commission then questioned Sangi about the legal procedures for constituting a medical board. Sangi stated that medical boards are formed upon court orders, which prompted Justice Sial to criticize him for attempting to shift responsibility onto the judiciary and suggested that Sangi might be unaware of the law. Sangi presented a letter indicating that a judicial magistrate had directed the formation of a new medical board comprising senior pathologists and forensic experts. However, the commission highlighted that the letter also mandated the board be constituted under the police surgeon’s supervision, a detail Sangi appeared to have overlooked.
Justice Sial challenged Sangi on the implications of his actions, questioning whether he was aware of the overnight constitution of a new medical board. Sangi admitted to having knowledge of it but neither supported nor opposed the move. The commission criticized the decision to remove Karachi-based doctors from the board and replace them with doctors from Hyderabad, questioning whether Sangi had raised any objections or inquiries. Sangi responded that he did not know the Hyderabad doctors personally.
The commission emphasized that including doctors from nearby areas is a legal requirement for medical boards and questioned whether the inclusion of Hyderabad doctors cast suspicion on the board’s credibility. Justice Sial held Sangi and the Special Secretary Health responsible for the board’s alteration and asked if any pressure had influenced the decision. Sangi mentioned media discussions and dissatisfaction from the victim’s family as reasons for the replacement but could not provide a clear explanation for the process. When questioned about working late hours and the qualifications of board members, Sangi apologized and requested that his statement be recorded.
Following this, the commission recorded the statement of SSP Samiullah Soomro, who outlined that the sub-inspector investigation officer’s primary duty is to investigate criminal cases. He identified officers Zubair Nazir Sheikh, Shabbir Laghari, and Arshad Javed as part of the investigative team and confirmed that Usman Saduzai was in Azad Jammu and Kashmir from August 1 to August 9. Soomro acknowledged the involvement of multiple officers as standard procedure.
Justice Sial questioned why statements from Mir Raza’s family had not been formally recorded. Soomro explained that Mir Raza’s father initially refused to meet investigators but was later contacted on August 3. The commission pressed Soomro on why the family’s statements were not documented officially. Soomro admitted he had not questioned the investigation team on this lapse. The commission further questioned how Soomro concluded the death was a suicide without recording the family’s statements. Soomro replied that the father declined to provide details. Justice Sial also criticized Soomro for prematurely discussing the case with the media, pointing out that the investigation was at an early stage. Soomro said he tried to avoid media interaction but eventually spoke to a news outlet, clarifying he only suggested the possibility of suicide.
The commission then probed the collection of CCTV footage. Justice Sial inquired about the number of cameras along routes to Karachi University and whether all access points had been considered. Soomro said footage was obtained only from the vicinity of where the body was found, including outside a marriage hall, but could not recall the exact location. The commission pointed out that although there were approximately 52 cameras in the area, investigators had secured footage from just one. Justice Sial questioned why Soomro, as head of the investigation, had not ensured a comprehensive collection of footage and rebuked him for deflecting responsibility. The commission ordered Soomro to submit CCTV footage from about 30 cameras along with related memos and seizure documents.
At one point, the commission warned Soomro against evasive answers, reminding him of the gravity of his position and the consequences of inadequate accountability. The hearing underscored significant concerns over procedural flaws and raised questions about the integrity of the investigation into Mir Raza’s death.
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