Lawyer Jibran Nasir has raised serious questions over the handling of evidence and the initial investigation into the death of young businessman Mir Raza.
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Addressing a press conference outside Mir Raza’s residence, Nasir said the family had learned several new facts that needed to be brought before the public, particularly those seeking justice for Raza.
Nasir alleged that the family had repeatedly been misled during the investigation, saying that “the list of deceptions keeps getting longer in this specific case.”
According to Nasir, Raza was last seen at 4:38am on July 28 on University Road, while his body was recovered at around 11am on July 29. He questioned what happened during the intervening period.
Nasir clarified that the report from samples collected during the special medical board’s examination was still awaited. He said the reports he presented were based on samples sealed by Dr Usama and sent to the University of Karachi laboratory.
According to Nasir, forensic examination of Raza’s shirt detected gunshot residue around the hole on the back of the shirt, which he said indicated that Raza had been shot from behind.
He also claimed that traces of acid were detected on the shirt. Nasir rejected suggestions that the condition of Raza’s face was solely the result of decomposition, alleging instead that the body had been “washed with acid”.
Nasir further claimed that Raza had been administered a local anaesthetic intravenously before being subjected to torture. He alleged that the substance could have restricted Raza’s ability to move or resist while leaving him conscious of pain.
Nasir said the latest findings had also raised questions about the estimated time of death.
According to him, the forensic assessment indicated that Raza was alive between 5pm and 7pm on July 28, rather than having died shortly after he was last seen on camera at 4:38am.
He alleged that Raza may have remained in the custody of his abductors for approximately 12 hours, during which he was allegedly subjected to torture.
Nasir said investigators should also determine what substances were found inside Raza’s body and whether they were administered to incapacitate him.
Questions Over Smartwatch and Other Evidence
A significant portion of Nasir’s press conference focused on the handling of Raza’s smartwatch, which he described as potentially important digital evidence.
He alleged that the smartwatch was collected from the family on the day of the incident but was later kept unofficially by SSP Samiullah Somro without a proper property-seizure memo.
According to Nasir, members of the new investigation team recently contacted Somro and requested the smartwatch so that it could be examined at the forensic laboratory.
He claimed that investigators were informed that no formal memo had initially been prepared for the device.
Nasir questioned why such an important piece of evidence had allegedly remained outside the formal chain of custody for several days.
He also raised questions over the handling of a DVR and Mir Raza’s mobile phone, alleging that the devices had been held by different police units and calling for investigators to establish whether proper seizure and custody documentation had been prepared.
Questions Over Investigation Team
Nasir also questioned the inclusion and availability of certain officers involved in the investigation.
He named SSP Samiullah Somro, SSP Zubair Nazir Sheikh and SSP Usman Sadozai, raising concerns about their roles in the investigation.
He further questioned the inclusion of Sadozai in the investigation team, claiming that the officer had been in Azad Kashmir and had not been present in Karachi during a crucial period of the investigation.
Nasir also referred to a departmental inquiry reportedly ordered against Zubair Nazir Sheikh and questioned why an officer facing such scrutiny had been included in the investigation.
Questions Over Crime Scene Evidence
Nasir said several bottles had reportedly been found at a corner of the crime scene and that the family had raised the possibility that they contained an acidic substance to the police officials.
Mir Raza Case Latest Updates
However, the investigators responded that the crime scene unit was expected to examine them and determine their contents, Nasir added.
He also criticised the initial handling of the case, alleging that police had prematurely treated the incident as a suicide rather than thoroughly investigating the possibility of murder.
Appeal to New Investigation Team
Nasir said he was not criticising the newly constituted investigation team and acknowledged that it had inherited an investigation containing several shortcomings.
He urged the new team to act urgently, preserve all evidence and ensure that every piece of digital and forensic evidence was formally documented.
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“Do not waste time reacting to my press conference,” Nasir said, addressing the Sindh government. “Spend more time empowering your investigation team and conducting the investigation.”
He also urged the provincial government to identify and investigate those allegedly responsible for Raza’s death instead of criticising officers who had raised concerns about the case.
