Lawyer Jibran Nasir, representing the family of businessman Mir Raza, has criticised the ongoing investigation into the case, alleging that poor handling of key evidence could undermine the probe.
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Speaking during the judicial commission proceedings, Nasir questioned the performance of the current investigation team and raised concerns over evidence collection, documentation and the handling of CCTV footage.
Jibran Nasir said the current investigation team comprises 10 members, but claimed that none had attended the complete proceedings of the judicial commission.
He questioned how the family would defend its position at trial if important evidence had not been properly documented and evidence memos had not been prepared.
Nasir alleged that several aspects of the investigation had been handled improperly and said the current team was damaging the overall probe.
The lawyer also raised questions about the handling of Mir Raza’s smartwatch, claiming that it had not been properly sealed.
He further questioned the collection and preservation of gunshot residue found on Mir Raza’s hand.
Nasir said gunshot residue could not simply be treated like soil that could be brushed away, adding that he believed residue was still present on Mir Raza’s hand when the body was exhumed.
Nasir also questioned the CCTV evidence related to Mir Raza’s mobile phone.
He said police had shown CCTV footage to support the claim that Mir Raza had thrown his mobile phone. However, he questioned why the person who allegedly picked up the phone was not visible in the footage.
He said the handling of the CCTV footage and the subsequent recovery of the mobile phone required further clarification.
During the proceedings, Nasir also questioned the role of police officials in preparing evidence memos.
He claimed that ASI Faisal Rahim, who prepared one of the memos, was not present at the relevant location. He also questioned the recovery of the holster, saying it was recovered by Faisal Rahim.
Nasir further questioned why a police official was made a witness in the presence of Mir Raza’s family.
Nasir warned that if a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) or another investigation team is formed, members of the current investigation team could themselves be required to appear before it and face scrutiny over their handling of the case.
He said the investigation should not become a matter of ridicule and stressed that the family, the investigation process and Mir Raza should be treated seriously.
Nasir also referred to an exchange involving lawyer Aamir Farooqi and Dr Summaiya Syed. According to Nasir, Farooqi had told Dr Summaiya that the final report did not correspond with the suicide narrative. Nasir said Dr Samia later clarified that the word “investigation” had been used.
The judicial commission is continuing to examine evidence and investigative procedures surrounding Mir Raza’s death. The concerns raised by Nasir represent the family’s position and remain subject to the commission’s findings and any further investigation.
Earlier in the day, Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed appeared before the commission and giving a detailed account of the exhumation, second post-mortem and forensic findings.
Mir Raza’s father and sister, Additional Law Secretary and the Sindh government’s focal person were also present during the proceedings.
During her testimony, Dr Summaiya Syed told the commission that delays in sending samples to laboratories can affect forensic results and may sometimes lead to false-negative findings. She said she had raised concerns about the case before recommending an exhumation.
