Mir Raza Ali murder: Judicial commission announces Rs100,000 reward for information

KARACHI:

The judicial commission probing the murder of Wafflix owner Mir Raza Ali on Friday announced a Rs100,000 reward for credible information that could help establish the facts surrounding his death.

The commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, said it would publish an advertisement in Urdu, English and Sindhi newspapers, inviting members of the public to share information about the case. An official email address and WhatsApp number would also be issued to facilitate the submission of information.

“We will publish an advertisement so that anyone who has information [about Mir Raza’s murder] can contact us, and anyone who provides significant information will also be given a reward of Rs100,000,” Justice Sial said during the proceedings.

The commission also ordered that notices be displayed at the location where Mir Raza’s body was found so that anyone who witnessed the incident or had relevant information could approach the commission.

Mir Raza went missing on July 28, and his body was found in Gulistan-e-Jauhar the following day. Police initially described his death as a suicide, but a second post-mortem examination concluded that he had been murdered.

The Sindh High Court on Monday constituted a judicial commission on the request of the Sindh government to probe the killing, opposite to the demands of the family to constitute a joint investigation team (JIT) instead.

Read: Karachi police book around 100 protesters seeking justice for Mir Raza

During Friday’s proceedings, the commission was informed that Mir Raza had left his home at around 4am on July 28 and, according to CCTV footage from the cameras of Khizra Mosque, was alive at around 4:30am. His body was found near Khizra Mosque at around 11:50am the following day.

Advocate Jibran Nasir, representing the family, told the commission that the first information report (FIR) had been registered 11 hours after Mir Raza left his residence.

Justice Sial asked whether a family representative had been present during the first post-mortem. Nasir said MLO Dr Usama Sheikh had conducted the examination in the presence of Mir Raza’s father. He further said the body had been recovered following information provided by nursery employees Yasir and Qaiser, who were also among the first people to inform police.

The commission said it would summon the two nursery employees, Edhi Foundation ambulance workers Mohsin and Javed, and the police officers who first saw the body and contacted the medico-legal officer.

It also sought details of the police officers and doctors associated with the case and all available evidence. The Sindh government’s focal person assured the commission that the requested documents would be provided.

The commission further sought the presence of Investigation Officer Siraj Lashari to assist in the proceedings.

Also Read: Investigators seize MLO's phone in Mir Raza case

Nasir also raised the issue of cases registered against protesters demanding justice for Mir Raza. “Legal action is also being taken against those who are helping us,” he told the commission, referring to the registration of around 100 FIRs against protesters.

He said he had only been provided with copies of statements recorded by family members and had not received other case documents.

Mir Raza’s father, mother and sister appeared before the commission today.

Justice Sial assured the family that the commission would make every effort to establish the facts and maintain transparency in its proceedings. “We have to complete these proceedings within 30 days,” he said.

“I promise that we will conduct the commission without being afraid of anyone. During the commission’s proceedings, I will not meet anyone. Even if the Chief Minister of Sindh comes to meet me, I will not meet him,” the Justice said during the hearing.

“Whatever happens in the Judicial Commission will be in front of everyone; nothing will be kept hidden,” Justice Sial added, saying that anyone could attend and observe the proceedings.

He also told Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain Ali, to have faith in the commission and said its efforts were not limited to his son’s case. “For me, this is not just about Mir Raza; it is also about the many others like Mir Raza,” Justice Sial said.

However, the judge explained that there was a difference between an inquiry and an investigation. Under its terms of reference, the commission would examine shortcomings in the investigation, police performance and negligence. “The commission will not investigate the case itself, nor can the Chief Minister conduct the investigation. We will only identify mistakes,” he said.

Court issues interim bail to 20 protestors

Separately, the District and Sessions Judge (East) on Friday granted interim bail to 20 citizens nominated in a case registered in Karachi over a protest on Shahrah-e-Faisal demanding the arrest of those responsible for the murder of Mir Raza.

During the hearing of the bail applications filed by the 20 citizens nominated in the case, the District and Sessions Court (East) granted interim bail to all applicants and ordered each of them to submit surety bonds of Rs5,000.

The accused named in the case include Adnan Raza, Danish Rehman, Hamza Khan, Talha, Bilal, Abdullah and others. The case includes charges relating to rioting, interference in official duties, obstruction of traffic, and incitement.

According to police, the Ferozabad police registered the case following a protest at the Nursery area of Shahrah-e-Faisal against the murder of Mir Raza.

Family reiterates demand for JIT

Speaking to reporters outside the Sindh High Court, Nasir reiterated the family’s demand for a JIT, saying the police had failed to identify those responsible for the murder despite 30 days having passed. “The family’s foremost demand was the constitution of a JIT,” he said.

Nasir said the commission had clarified that its role was not to conduct the criminal investigation and that identifying and arresting the perpetrators and submitting the challan remained the police’s responsibility.

He alleged that the Sindh government had taken no action against police officers whom the family believed had compromised the investigation. “It appears that the entire [police] department is involved in ruining this case. Even if the killers are backed by a powerful group, the family’s resistance will continue,” he said, arguing that involving different institutions in the investigation would improve transparency.

Nasir said the family continued to have confidence in state institutions but believed that a JIT would enhance the credibility of the investigation. “A JIT investigation will benefit everyone,” he said.

He also criticised the registration of cases against people protesting and raising their voices for Mir Raza, saying some of those nominated had been supporting the family. He thanked young lawyers who, he said, had helped the nominated protesters secure bail.

Read More: Judicial commission begins proceedings in Mir Raza Ali murder case, issues notices to parties

Nasir welcomed the commission’s decision to allow media access to its proceedings and said the family had informed it about documents submitted to the chief minister and statements made by police officials during the investigation.

He alleged that some people had been nominated in cases merely for raising their voices on social media. “The police are unable to arrest the killers; instead, they are nominating those who raise their voices in the case,” he said.

Nasir said people supporting the family had helped keep the case in the public eye and maintained pressure on the authorities.

He also urged the media to refrain from publishing reports based on information attributed to unnamed sources and from repeatedly disclosing Mir Raza’s personal information. “Mir Raza is being killed again and again through the repeated disclosure of his information in the media,” he said.

Questioning what steps the Sindh government had taken during the past 30 days, Nasir said the investigation appeared to lack transparency. He further alleged that the previous investigation team had destroyed evidence and questioned why the same individuals continued to be involved in the case.

Nasir said the family had raised concerns before the commission about different statements issued by police officials during the investigation. He added that access to geo-fencing data and CCTV footage would help the family present its concerns and reservations more effectively.

The commission adjourned the proceedings until 11am on Tuesday on Nasir’s request.

 

Recent developments

A day earlier, the Sindh government home department issued a notification appointing nine officials to serve the “commission of Inquiry” led by Justice Omar Sial.

The notification appointed Abdul Majid as registrar, Muhammad Amjad and Nadir as private secretaries, Saleem Nasir as research officer, Zeeshan Saeed as network security administrator, Moazam as library attendant, Faisal Waseem as court attendant, Rab Nawaz as bailiff and Abdul Qayyum as farash.

Meanwhile, the judicial commission conducted its first hearing on Thursday.

The commission, headed by Sindh High Court (SHC) Justice Omar Sial, issued notices to Raza’s family, his lawyer Jibran Nasir and the focal person appointed by the Sindh government.

According to the notification for the formation of the aforesaid commission, issued under the Sindh Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, it has been assigned four key TORs. It will determine the circumstances and motives surrounding Mir Raza’s death, assess whether the investigation has been impartial and examine whether any police officer or other official was negligent or involved in concealing evidence.

In a month, the commission would recommend action if negligence, dereliction of duty, professional misconduct or tampering with evidence was established.

Separately, on the same day, Karachi cops nominated FIRs against at least 100 supporters protesting the delayed probe in Mir Raza case.

Further Read: Sindh defers judicial probe into Mir Raza killing after family backs new police team

According to the FIR, Karachi police officers witnessed the protest at around 12:30am on Aug 27, and a case was registered an hour later, at 1:30am, against 20 named individuals and around 80 unidentified protesters.

The FIR noted that the protesters were carrying sticks, placards and banners bearing slogans and demands seeking justice for slain entrepreneur Mir Raza.

The protesters had allegedly blocked the road leading from Saddar towards the airport on Shahrah-e-Faisal, disrupting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, cops said.

The case

Entrepreneur Mir Raza, 25, was allegedly kidnapped from PECHS before his body was found in bushes near a wedding hall in Gulistan-e-Johar on July 29. The case had initially been surrounded by uncertainty over whether he had been murdered or committed suicide.

After the court noted deficiencies in the first post-mortem report, a second procedure was ordered. The findings of the second post-mortem report consolidated his family’s longstanding claim that he had been murdered.

The police probe is facing constant scrutiny by the public because of earlier lapses that were also admitted by the Sindh Police chief.

A number of protests were held in the city demanding expedited provision of justice.