KARACHI(National Times)- A judicial commission formed to investigate the circumstances and possible negligence in businessman Mir Raza Ali\u2019s murder case has pointed out the police\u2019s \u201cepic failure\u201d in their investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sindh cabinet decided to make the report public during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah earlier in the day. The judicial commission, which began its proceedings on Aug 28, held regular hearings to record statements of several individuals linked to the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis case demonstrates an epic failure by the police in their investigation,\u201d declared the 62-page report submitted by Sindh High Court\u2019s (SHC) Justice Omar Sial, who had been heading the judicial panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe police breached all required procedures, both knowingly and unknowingly, necessary to withstand judicial scrutiny and a successful prosecution,\u201d the report stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While acknowledging that the initial police response when they were informed of the presence of a body was prompt, the report noted that subsequent events \u201cleft a lot to be desired\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was a murder,\u201d the report declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It explained that the bullet trajectory, the unusual location of the wound if it had been a self-inflicted injury, the \u201cabsence of blood, the state of the body, the principles of medical jurisprudence, acid burns and the anaesthesia detected in the blood all clearly excluded suicide as the cause of death\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commission determined that releasing the police findings before a proper investigation was \u201cpremature and fell short of professional standards\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven if the death had been a suicide, the police should have established who was responsible for driving a young man to that point, including whether coercion, blackmail, or instigation was involved. They made no such effort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It said the police investigation \u201cfailed in its most basic duty: to establish the truth\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It further observed that \u201cincessant public criticism of the police created problems\u201d as the police \u201cwent into a shell, completely broke down communication channels, and took a position based on ego rather than on cogent, solid reasons\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report pointed out specific issues with the police conduct: \u201cLack of leadership, seriousness, and supervision, and, in some cases, negligence by the senior officers. The handling of this case has been like a rudderless ship, not aware of its destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRanging from negligent to criminally negligent, inexplicable, casual, and unprofessional investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the commission, an active cover-up in the initial stages of the investigation cannot be conclusively ruled out. It noted that senior police officers swept clear investigative lapses under the carpet, without acknowledging them, addressing them, or even attempting to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToo many cooks spoil the broth. The proverb is applicable to this case as far as the police are concerned,\u201d the judicial commission observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDozens of police officers \u2013 authorised and unauthorised \u2013 were involved in collecting evidence in this case, approaching and interrogating crucial persons, and in most cases not documenting it in any manner,\u201d it said, adding that therefore, no officer was willing to take responsibility for the lapses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inquiry said there was a need to mitigate public speculation by an \u201chonest and timely briefing on the investigation\u201d, but this was not done, and the family or the public were not updated through official disclosures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe police did not follow the commission\u2019s recommendation to appoint a focal person for this reason. As a result, public speculation further embarrassed the government and the police.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding the controversy over the reconstitution of a medical board formed for the exhumation of Ali\u2019s body, the report said: \u201cThe overnight bureaucratic manoeuvring was a highly irregular, inexplicable, legally flawed overreach dictated entirely from the upper echelons of the Sindh Health Secretariat, more specifically by the secretary and special secretary, Health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that the Health Services director general, \u201cbeing aware that he was not legally competent to form a medical board for exhumation, looked the other way\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe two gentlemen who directed the change in the board could not give a cogent reason for the abrupt change, making it extremely controversial, fueling public speculation, and embarrassing the Sindh government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referring to an Aug 9 meeting held at CM House, which \u201cdrew considerable speculation and controversy\u201d, the report said that \u201cno ulterior motive can be inferred from this meeting\u201d. The meeting was attended by Medico-Legal Officer (MLO) Dr Osama Sheikh, who conducted Ali\u2019s first autopsy, the Karachi police chief and other senior officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observations on officials
Listing its observations for certain police officials involved in the case, the judicial panel identified \u201ccriminal negligence\u201d on the part of Station House Officer (SHO) Adeel Afzal of Ferozabad police station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInitiate a comprehensive inquiry into him, leading to dismissal from service. He should be suspended in the interim. He must also be questioned to determine whether he has facilitated the destruction of key evidence,\u201d the report read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also found criminal negligence by Sub-inspector Shabbir Leghari, the first investigating officer (IO) in the case, and called for disciplinary proceedings against him and his suspension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also determined criminal negligence of Inspector Ghaus, but did not recommend any action against him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding DIG Farukh Lanjar and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samiullah Soomro, the commission noted a \u201clack of leadership and supervision\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judicial panel also called out \u201cextreme immaturity\u201d and \u201cchildish behaviour\u201d of MLO Sheikh, who conducted the first medico-legal examination, whose findings were later proven incorrect after a second autopsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOverconfidence. Unprofessional conduct not befitting a medical professional. Must not be assigned medico-legal duties unless he has undergone at least two years of rigorous academic and practical training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report said he was \u201cpossibly influenced\u201d and called for the angle to be \u201cconclusively determined\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations
Suggesting the next steps, the judicial commission said accommodating the family\u2019s request for a joint investigation team (JIT) was the \u201cmost viable path to mitigate ongoing reputational damage to the Government of Sindh\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It recommended that a JIT be constituted under the leadership of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Irfan Baloch to \u201cbalance the need for public accountability with preserving Sindh Police morale and reputation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report said the team should \u201cintegrate senior representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to ensure an impartial, comprehensive, and credible resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis extreme step is necessary to restore public trust and end speculation,\u201d it stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commission contended that any subsequent police actions will inevitably face heavy public speculation, determining that the police department \u201cbears responsibility for this profound trust deficit between itself and society\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven an accurate conclusion or the apprehension of the true culprit is unlikely to be accepted by the public,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report pointed out that the case could now \u201conly be resolved through a rigorous, intelligence-based investigation as a \u201csignificant portion of physical evidence has been compromised\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It called for the police to \u201ctransparently acknowledge and apologise for past operational lapses\u201d, as well as immediately initiate formal inquiries against the responsible officers in light of the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While stating that it did not have investigative powers and that it was difficult to conclude conclusively that an active cover-up occurred, the commission noted that \u201ccertain inexplicable actions are difficult to justify and raise the possibility that one may have occurred\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, it suggested that a high-level committee, preferably led by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), be constituted to initiate criminal action against any police officials it finds culpable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee would inquire into \u201cwhether any of the police officials involved in this probe in the first 10 days\u201d were in breach of sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence), 166(2) (public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury) and 218 (public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judicial commission also called for initiating police reforms, particularly to address and modernise the investigation protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It suggested forming a committee of \u201cseasoned professionals\u201d to \u201cspecifically address first response, crime scene handling, medico-legal dynamics, collection, safekeeping, and analysis of evidence, and recording the entirety of the investigation in written or digital form\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it proposed a three-month timeframe for the exercise, the commission said the Sindh government will make the final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another suggestion was to consider an increase in the investigation budget, with a protocol in place to monitor the fund\u2019s use. The panel further suggested steps regarding training of investigators and enhancing the capacity of Crime Scene Units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Panel formed to ensure implementation
The judicial panel\u2019s primary mandate was to determine the facts and circumstances of the case; assess whether police and medico-legal investigations were impartial; identify professional negligence, misconduct, evidence manipulation, or cover-ups; review digital\/forensic evidence; and recommend further investigation, forensic analysis, or legal\/departmental action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a handout issued by the Sindh chief minister\u2019s spokesperson, the judicial inquiry report was presented in seven separate sealed envelopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will be uploaded on the website of the provincial home department on Tuesday, while a copy will also be provided to the aggrieved family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further, CM Shah also constituted a four-member sub-committee to ensure the implementation of the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee comprises Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and the Sindh advocate general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also took to X to announce that the report would be made public on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe government of Sindh remains committed to transparency, accountability and ensuring that due process of law is upheld,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week, the commission handed over the sealed report to the provincial government after examining 49 witnesses during 15 hearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inquiry report, along with associated documents, was handed over to the focal person of the provincial government and Home Department Additional Secretary Javed Ahmed Abro by the commission registrar, Abdul Majid, on the premises of the SHC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After receiving the record, Abro told reporters that he would hand over the sealed report along with other records to the provincial government and it was the prerogative of the government to decide whether the inquiry report was to be brought into the public domain or otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In August, the provincial government formed the commission, which was tasked with making recommendations for further investigation and forensic analysis or legal\/departmental action, and it was required to submit its findings and recommendations to the Sindh government within 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the commission had struggled to meet its deadline and sent an application last month to the Sindh government for an extension in its tenure till Oct 15. Therefore, the provincial cabinet granted an extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides examining 49 witnesses and available record, the commission had also sent questionnaires to Karachi police chief Azad Khan, head of current investigation team DIG Amir Farooqui and DIG East Farrukh Lanjar after dismissing an application by the aggrieved family to summon the senior police officers to testify before the commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 25-year-old businessman and Institute of Business Administration graduate had gone missing on July 28 after leaving his home in PECHS and his body with gunshot wounds was found a day later in bushes in Gulistan-i-Jauhar\u2019s locality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initially, the police built the case around suicide on the basis of the first autopsy, which indicated a bullet entry wound on the chest, and by pointing out business losses and money borrowed by the victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed had disputed the findings of the first post-mortem conducted by medico-legal officer Dr Osama Sheikh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second post-mortem report termed the findings of the first report \u201cinconsistent\u201d with suicide as the manner of Mir Raza\u2019s death. It said the Exhumation Board was of the unanimous opinion that the death was caused by a gunshot wound to the back.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KARACHI(National Times)- A judicial commission formed to investigate the circumstances and possible negligence in businessman Mir Raza Ali\u2019s murder case has pointed out the police\u2019s \u201cepic failure\u201d in their investigation. The Sindh cabinet decided to make the report public during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah earlier in the day. The judicial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":135159,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n