Family Rejects Revised Panel Hours Before Fresh Autopsy
The investigation into the death of Karachi entrepreneur Mir Raza Ali has entered a new controversy.
Ali’s family has refused to allow his exhumation and second post-mortem under a newly reconstituted medical board.
The dispute emerged only hours after a judicial magistrate approved the exhumation. The court had ordered a fresh and comprehensive forensic examination to determine the exact cause of death.
According to an official notification, the original eight-member medical board was replaced overnight with a five-member panel.
Karachi Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed was the only member retained. She will continue to serve as the board’s convener.
The revised panel includes Professor Dr Zakiuddin from Dow University of Health Sciences, Professor Dr Qazi Akbar from Liaquat University in Jamshoro, pathologist Dr Abid Hussain Chang and Hyderabad Police Surgeon Dr Waseem.
The family questioned why the original members were removed without a public explanation.
Family lawyer Jibran Nasir described the timing of the changes as suspicious. He said the family planned to approach the court against the revised notification.
Nasir maintained that the family had previously agreed to the exhumation because it wanted an independent and transparent examination.
However, he said the family would not permit the procedure under the newly formed panel.
Ali’s father, Mir Hussain, also strongly objected to the changes. He alleged that the overnight decision had increased the family’s concerns about possible interference in the investigation.
No official explanation for replacing the original medical board had been publicly issued at the time of reporting.
Court Ordered Exhumation After Serious Autopsy Failures
A Karachi judicial magistrate approved the exhumation on an application filed by Ali’s father.
The court directed the Sindh health secretary and Karachi police surgeon to establish a medico-legal board.
The board was instructed to conduct a new post-mortem, X-rays, DNA testing, chemical analysis and other forensic examinations.
The prosecution did not oppose the family’s request.
The Ferozabad police were also ordered to make security and administrative arrangements for the procedure.
The court order followed serious objections raised over the first post-mortem report.
Dr Summaiya Syed identified 14 alleged forensic deficiencies in the initial examination.
She said the body had not been X-rayed. Hand swabs were also not collected to test for gunshot residue.
No chemical examination was conducted on the suspected gunpowder marks around the bullet wound.
The skull and neck were not internally examined. The firearm injuries were also not scientifically measured or properly photographed.
The report failed to clearly document the bullet’s path through the body.
Dr Syed also questioned the description of the entry and exit wounds. She said the reported injuries, trajectory and available photographs did not appear consistent.
DNA samples were reportedly not collected despite questions surrounding the body’s formal identification.
The police surgeon said the report raised more questions than answers. She recommended exhumation if the concerns could not otherwise be resolved.
Murder and Suicide Theories Remain Under Investigation
Mir Raza Ali was a 25-year-old Institute of Business Administration graduate and owner of the Wafflix dessert business.
He disappeared after leaving his PECHS residence during the early hours of July 28.
Police said he booked an online taxi and travelled to Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
His body was found the following day in bushes near Shahi Qila Ground. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.
Investigators have examined the possibility that Ali died by suicide.
Police sources claimed he had suffered financial losses and owed money to several people. They also said he had sought a large loan shortly before his death.
CCTV footage reportedly showed Ali taking a security guard’s .30-bore pistol from his business premises before returning home.
Investigators said he later left his vehicle, keys, smartwatch and cash at home before booking the taxi.
However, the weapon remained missing. Police said only its empty holster was recovered near the scene.
Authorities have stressed that no final conclusion has been reached. Both murder and suicide remain under investigation.
Ali’s parents firmly reject the suicide theory.
His father alleged that injuries and possible burn marks were visible on his son’s body.
He also claimed that injuries were seen on Ali’s head during the final washing before burial. According to the family, skin was missing from both palms.
These remain allegations made by the family and have not yet been conclusively established through an independent forensic examination.
The court-approved exhumation was scheduled for Friday morning. Medical experts were expected to collect biological and forensic samples before immediately reburying the body.
The family’s rejection of the revised board has now created uncertainty over whether the procedure can proceed as planned.
The case remains unresolved as the family seeks judicial intervention and investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding Ali’s death.
