KARACHI: Authorities have removed Dr Osama, the medico-legal officer who conducted the initial post-mortem examination of young businessman Mir Raza Ali, after an inquiry identified serious lapses in the medico-legal process.
Officials said on Wednesday that Dr Osama had been removed from his position as a medico-legal officer and would appear before the relevant authorities as part of an inquiry into the matter.
The development comes amid growing questions over the initial investigation into Mir Raza’s death and the accuracy and completeness of the first post-mortem report.
Questions raised over initial post-mortem
A dispute had emerged between the Karachi police surgeon and investigators over alleged shortcomings in the medico-legal report prepared after Mir Raza’s death.
The family subsequently approached a local Karachi court seeking a fresh medical examination of the body. Family lawyer Jibran Nasir told the court that no X-ray had been conducted and that the cause of death had not been determined.
Following the request, the court allowed the businessman’s body to be exhumed for another examination.
A fresh autopsy conducted after the exhumation reportedly found that Mir Raza had been shot in the back. Two gunshot holes were also identified in his shirt, including one at the back and a larger hole at the front.
The new medical findings also documented several marks of violence on the body.
Fresh examination reveals multiple injuries
According to the new medical report, black marks and injuries were found on Mir Raza’s body, including injury marks on his feet. Blood stains were also reportedly found on tissues in the lower part of his body.
The report further identified a fracture and an approximately 12-centimetre injury on his right thigh. Evidence of a deep injury and fracture was also found in the jaw area.
These findings have added further questions to the circumstances surrounding the businessman’s death and the shortcomings of the initial examination.
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Chemical report finds acid particles
Separately, a chemical examination report obtained by Geo News found acid particles on Mir Raza’s shirt, along with evidence associated with gunshot residue.
The report also stated that there appeared to have been an attempt to conceal his identity and that no fingerprints were found on his hands.
Lawyer Jibran Nasir had previously said that Mir Raza’s face appeared to have been damaged by acid burns rather than decomposition. He also said the body was estimated to be between 20 and 22 hours old.
Nasir further alleged that Mir Raza may have remained in captivity for several hours before his death. These claims remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Family hopes for progress in investigation
Mir Raza’s family has welcomed the formation of a new investigation team and said it is cooperating with investigators.
His father, Mir Hussain, said it was the first time in nearly two weeks that he felt the investigation was moving in the right direction.
The family has provided investigators with information about three suspicious individuals and identified several locations that could be relevant to the case.
The family is also awaiting further forensic findings from samples collected during the original post-mortem and the subsequent examination following exhumation.
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Investigators examine earlier lapses
Authorities have also identified several shortcomings in the initial investigation.
Investigators confirmed that geofencing of the crime scene had not been conducted, while Mir Raza’s mobile data record had also not initially been obtained. His smartwatch had reportedly not undergone forensic examination either.
The new investigation team has begun addressing these issues and is working to obtain the relevant mobile data and conduct geofencing.
Investigators have also gathered information about a suspected guesthouse and contacted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). A formal request is expected to determine whether Mir Raza had received or faced any threats before his death.
The removal of the medico-legal officer and the fresh forensic work could provide important evidence as investigators seek to establish what happened to Mir Raza Ali and determine responsibility for his death.
