The judicial commission investigating the death of young businessman Mir Raza Ali conducted an on-site inspection on Monday, visiting the location where his body was discovered along with a nearby guest house. Justice Omar Sial, heading the commission, stated that the visit enhanced their understanding of the case and clarified several investigative aspects.
Speaking informally after the inspection, Justice Sial expressed satisfaction with the visit and highlighted the significant number of cameras installed in the vicinity. He explained that the commission’s role is to identify errors and lapses in the police investigation and hold accountable those responsible.
“Many details had already emerged from witness statements, making today’s visit particularly useful,” he noted. The commission examined both the nursery and the guest house linked to the case as part of their inquiry. Justice Sial further mentioned that he would now review the available CCTV footage to determine what additional evidence could be extracted. Additionally, he said he would recommend formally including witness Ali Shaz in the investigation.
Justice Sial praised the competence of the police force and expressed hope that the case would reach a resolution soon. The commission has previously raised serious concerns about the handling and preservation of evidence, especially regarding CCTV recordings from the area where Mir Raza’s body was found.
Earlier proceedings revealed that although dozens of cameras were installed around the scene, investigators initially obtained only limited footage. Jibran Nasir, representing Mir Raza’s family, stated that 116 cameras were present in the area, contrasting with police claims of only 67 cameras. He also mentioned eight to nine cameras at a nearby mosque, suggesting that if a gunshot had occurred, its sound might have traveled as far as a nearby wedding hall.
Nasir emphasized that the commission stressed learning from initial investigative mistakes and moving forward rather than engaging in blame. He expressed the family’s desire for justice and hoped that the commission’s recommendations would bring them relief. Nasir also urged that these recommendations be made public promptly after the inquiry, rather than being delayed for months.
He noted the family’s continued dissatisfaction with the police investigation, highlighting many unresolved questions. Nasir clarified that Monday’s activity was a commission visit, distinct from the investigation team’s work, an important distinction when assessing police progress.
In a significant development, Justice Sial stated that the police must establish whether Mir Raza died by suicide or was murdered. “If it is suicide, the police will present the reasons publicly. If it is murder, they will arrest the accused,” he said, cautioning against premature conclusions. He described declarations of suicide as hasty and stressed that no one’s intentions should be questioned at this stage.
The suicide theory has been a central controversy, with Mir Raza’s family rejecting it, maintaining he was abducted and murdered. A subsequent post-mortem reportedly revealed findings inconsistent with suicide. The commission has questioned the initial medical examination and investigation, noting discrepancies with later findings.
The commission has repeatedly criticized the initial investigation team for their handling of the crime scene, CCTV footage, and other evidence. Justice Sial previously criticized investigators for not promptly securing all available CCTV recordings, with police admitting they obtained only limited footage despite numerous cameras around the area.
Investigators have also been questioned about their handling of Mir Raza’s mobile phone, smartwatch, firearm-related evidence, and other materials. The commission noted that the initial investigation failed to pursue footage from several streets surrounding the crime scene and questioned why recordings were not secured before potential overwriting or loss.
The commission has highlighted serious failures by the first investigative team during the critical initial days, including poor preservation of evidence at the scene.
Regarding witness Ali Shaz, Justice Sial said he would recommend his formal inclusion in the investigation. The commission has questioned why Shaz’s statement was not recorded earlier despite his repeated mention during the inquiry. Proceedings have also reviewed a voice note attributed to Shaz and examined allegations that Mir Raza was under financial pressure.
The commission scrutinized how such information reached the media and whether all relevant witnesses were properly questioned. It also examined the role of police officers involved in the early stages and questioned the evidentiary support for the financial pressure narrative.
In a procedural update, the Sindh government extended the tenure of the one-member judicial commission until October 15 to allow Justice Sial to complete the inquiry and final report. The commission’s original one-month term expired on September 27. The extension was requested as the inquiry continues to probe alleged lapses in the police investigation, discrepancies in the initial post-mortem, and the handling of CCTV and other evidence.
The commission resumed work after the extension, holding a meeting on October 2 at Justice Sial’s chamber, where investigation officer DSP Siraj Lashari and a CPLC representative were summoned. On Monday, rather than immediately recording the investigation officer’s statement, the commission prioritized inspecting the crime scene and guest house. DSP Lashari was instructed to accompany Mir Raza’s family and their lawyer during the visit.
Investigative journalists were also asked to brief the commission on suspicious vehicles allegedly linked to the case. These journalists are expected to present their findings on Tuesday, while statements from DSP Lashari and CPLC representative Kashif are scheduled for Wednesday.
Jibran Nasir reiterated the family’s dissatisfaction with the police investigation, noting that fundamental questions remain unanswered. He questioned why investigators failed to adequately pursue evidence despite the abundance of cameras in the area and why the family has yet to receive satisfactory responses. Nasir insisted the commission’s recommendations should be released immediately after the inquiry concludes.
Meanwhile, Justice Sial urged all parties to avoid mutual accusations and focus on uncovering the facts to ensure justice is served.
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