KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking the formation of a joint investigation team to investigate the death of businessman Mir Raza Ali.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Adnanul Karim and comprising Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza, announced the verdict after reserving it Monday on a petition filed by Ali’s family.
Ali, an IBA graduate and businessman, was found dead in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar on July 29, a day after he went missing. His father has maintained that his son was murdered and rejected suggestions that he died by suicide.
In its seven-page written order, the high court said it was mindful of the family’s loss but could not allow sympathy to override the law. The petition was therefore disposed of.
The court noted that the investigating officer had assured the bench that every possible effort would be made to complete the investigation.
It said the officer would use all available resources in accordance with the law and could seek assistance from other investigative agencies if necessary.
The SHC directed authorities to complete the investigation impartially, fairly and expeditiously. It also said Ali’s family could pursue all legal remedies available to them to ensure a transparent and fair investigation.
Ali’s family had approached the high court last month challenging the formation of an inquiry panel, arguing that establishing such a panel at that stage could adversely affect the investigation.
The case also followed the formation of a judicial commission by the SHC chief justice, with Justice Omar Sial appointed to head the panel. The commission was established at the request of the Sindh government to investigate the alleged murder of the young businessman.
Ali’s lawyer, Advocate Jibran Nasir, had opposed the government’s decision to establish the judicial commission.
Speaking to journalists on Aug. 27, Nasir said the commission had been formed without informing the family and that its terms of reference had not been made public.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the commission had been given 30 days to prepare its report on the case.
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According to the notification establishing the commission, the panel would examine the constitutional and legal aspects of the investigation, determine the facts surrounding Ali’s death and focus on ensuring transparency in the process.
