A Karachi court has approved the exhumation of young businessman Mir Raza’s grave, paving the way for a fresh postmortem as questions continue to surround the circumstances of his death.
The court directed authorities to implement its order without delay and asked the Health Secretary to constitute a medical board for the process.
The City Court approved the petition seeking the exhumation of Mir Raza’s grave, filed by his father, Mir Hassan.
The court ordered that its directives be implemented as soon as possible and instructed the health secretary to form a medical board to supervise the exhumation and the second postmortem.
The order came after the court heard arguments on the family's request, which sought to determine the exact cause of Mir Raza’s death through a fresh forensic examination.
Family seeks second postmortem
The investigation into the alleged murder of young businessman Mir Raza remains underway, while his family has decided to pursue a second postmortem.
Earlier in the day, Mir Raza’s father reached the City Court to pursue the petition for the exhumation of his son’s grave.
According to the petition, the family believes that exhuming the grave is necessary to establish the true cause of Mir Raza’s death.
Mir Hassan argued in the petition that the original investigation had failed to answer key questions surrounding his son's death. He maintained that the grave should be exhumed so that another postmortem could determine the actual cause of death and help identify those responsible if foul play is confirmed.
The family also confirmed that consultations with their legal team had been completed before moving the court.
Court proceedings before order
Before announcing its decision, the City Court had reserved its verdict on the exhumation request after hearing initial arguments.
During the proceedings, Advocate Jibran Nasir urged the court to call the investigating officer within an hour and argued that the health secretary could constitute a medical board within a few hours if directed by the court.
The district magistrate responded that the investigating officer should first be heard before any decision was made on the petition.
Jibran Nasir replied that the investigating officer could be issued a notice if necessary.
In an exchange during the hearing, the district magistrate remarked, "The government is with you, the media is with you, and Jibran Nasir should also be with you."
The court responded, "Jibran Nasir is already with you."
Lawyer raises concerns over investigation
Nasir argued that time was critical because the postmortem should ideally be conducted by the following day to avoid further deterioration of the body.
He claimed that the police surgeon had identified shortcomings in the initial postmortem and said the police should themselves have sought the exhumation but failed to do so.
According to Nasir, the parents were forced to approach the court because exhumation had become necessary to determine both the actual cause of death and the identity of those responsible. He further alleged that the police appeared eager to dispose of the case quickly.
Nasir said Dr. Osama's postmortem report was being challenged within the Police Surgeon's Office. He also claimed that even after the FIR was registered, the complainant's statement had still not been recorded.
According to the lawyer, rumours continued to circulate while evidence had not been properly collected, and government institutions had a responsibility to satisfy the complainant regarding the fairness of the investigation.
Father questions direction of investigation
Speaking to Samaa TV, Mir Hassan said he and his family were deeply distressed over the need to exhume their son's grave.
"I have already seen my child in pain, and now I am also saddened by the grave being dug up," he said.
He added that the family was not satisfied with the police investigation and believed the inquiry had taken conflicting directions.
"We are guessing from various reports which direction the investigation is heading," he said. "Sometimes financial matters are discussed, and at other times another angle is presented."
Mir Hassan rejected suggestions that debt could explain his son's death.
"Being in debt cannot be the reason for murder. We are talking about the investigation into a murder," he said.
He alleged that investigators were placing unnecessary emphasis on financial issues instead of determining what actually happened.
Mir Hassan questioned the whereabouts of Dr. Osama, who conducted the first postmortem. He also called for an investigation into why, according to him, his son's identity had been erased.
"The police have not yet accepted that it was a murder," he said.
He further claimed that the family's statement had still not been recorded despite the passage of time.
"The police tell us one thing and the media another," he said, adding that the family only received the police report after it had already been reported in the media.
Family says exhumation is for justice
Mir Hassan said the family had decided to seek exhumation solely to ensure justice for Mir Raza.
"We are very distressed over the exhumation, but we are not satisfied with the investigation," he said.
"Sometimes it is presented as a debt issue and sometimes as suicide. My son was murdered. Why are we not being told who the killers are?"
He said the decision to exhume the grave had been taken to uncover the truth and secure justice for his son.
With the City Court now approving the exhumation request, authorities are expected to constitute a medical board and carry out a second postmortem in accordance with the court's directives.
The fresh forensic examination is expected to play a key role in the ongoing investigation into Mir Raza's death, as the family continues to seek clarity over the circumstances surrounding the case.
