KARACHI: The Sindh government on Saturday ordered Dr Osama Sheikh’s suspension in the Mir Raza case. This was after a judicial commission criticised the medico-legal officer’s handling of the initial post-mortem examination.
Sindh’s Home Department directed departmental proceedings against Sheikh and an inquiry into health official Shehryar Gul Memon. It also wrote to the chief secretary to implement the commission’s recommendations.
Separately, the provincial government formed a joint investigation team (JIT) headed by Deputy Inspector General Irfan Baloch. The team will investigate Ali’s killing.
Senior representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau, Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency will join the team. Moreover, relevant institutions have been asked to nominate officers of grade 18 or above.
A commission headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial examined the circumstances surrounding Ali’s death and the handling of the investigation. Its findings rejected the initial police theory of suicide. Furthermore, the commission identified failures in the investigation and preservation of evidence.
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However, Sheikh had previously defended his initial autopsy findings and withdrawn his endorsement of the final report.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the commission, he explained that he had signed the later findings because a senior doctor’s assessment made him doubt himself. “That was my mistake,” Sheikh said.
He maintained that he had worked under Karachi Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed’s guidance and supervision. According to Sheikh, she had not told him before August 5 that his examination contained an error. He also maintained that he had received no show-cause notice alleging a mistake in his post-mortem examination.
Sheikh explained that he sent his initial findings to Syed through WhatsApp on July 31. He submitted a physical copy the following day.
Meanwhile, the Home Department forwarded the commission’s observations and a cabinet subcommittee’s recommendations to the Sindh police chief. Action will be taken concerning officers named in the report.
Ali’s body was found in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar neighbourhood. An initial autopsy was followed by another examination after his body was exhumed. The commission submitted its findings to the provincial government on October 15.
