Rs0.1m reward for Raza murder lead

KARACHI:

A judicial commission constituted to examine the investigation into the murder of 25-year-old dessert brand Wafflix Mir Raza Ali on Thursday began proceedings, with Sindh High Court (SHC) Justice Umar Sial assuring the bereaved family that the inquiry would be conducted openly and without fear or favour.

Justice Sial, who heads the commission, said the proceedings would be open to the public and no information would be concealed. The commission, however, clarified that it would not investigate the murder itself but would examine shortcomings, negligence and lapses in the police investigation under its terms of reference (ToRs).

"I promise that the commission will function without fear of anyone. I will not meet anyone during the commission's tenure. Even if the Sindh chief minister comes to meet me, I will not meet him," Justice Sial said. He added that the commission was not merely about Mir Raza but about ensuring that "nothing like this happens to another Mir Raza".

The commission summoned two police officials who were among the first to reach the scene, two nursery employees who first saw the body, the ambulance drivers who transported it and medico-legal officer Dr Usama Sheikh, who conducted the post-mortem.

The Sindh government was directed to submit all original documents, medical reports, witness statements and other relevant records to the commission by Friday.

The commission also directed the provincial government to publish advertisements in Urdu, English and Sindhi newspapers seeking information from the public regarding the case. A reward of Rs100,000 was announced for information that could assist the proceedings.

The proceedings began with the appearance of Mir Raza's father, mother and sister. Advocate Jibran Nasir, representing the family, was also called to the rostrum. The commission offered Fateha for the deceased. Nasir Zaidi