Mir Raza Ali Case: Business Partner’s Bail Extended
A Karachi sessions court on Saturday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of Muhammad Ahmed Bhardey, described as the business partner of deceased young businessman Mir Raza Ali, until August 24. The hearing took place as investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding Ali’s death, a case that has drawn public attention in Karachi after his body was found last month following his disappearance from PECHS.
Bhardey had approached the court through his counsel, seeking protection from arrest in the alleged murder case. Earlier, the court had granted him interim bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000 and had issued notices to the investigating officer and prosecution for the latest hearing.
During Saturday’s proceedings, Bhardey’s lawyer argued that his client was cooperating with the investigation but feared arrest and harassment by police. The defence maintained that Bhardey had been part of the deceased’s business circle and had been called by investigators in connection with the inquiry, but should not be treated unfairly when he had not initially been named as an accused.
Lawyer Jibran Nasir, appearing for the deceased’s family, rejected the claim that the applicant was being harassed. He told the court that police had summoned several people, including witnesses and individuals linked to the case, as part of the investigation and that such questioning was a routine requirement in a serious murder inquiry.
The court questioned why the applicant had sought bail when he had not originally been nominated as an accused. The judge also made it clear that Bhardey would still have to join and assist the investigation, regardless of whether he remained protected by interim bail.
Bhardey told the court that he had appeared before police whenever he was called. After hearing the arguments, the court extended his interim bail until August 24 and directed him not to leave Karachi while the investigation remains under way.
A separate hearing in the main case was also held before the judicial magistrate East. The newly appointed investigating officer informed the court that the victim’s SIM card was needed to move the inquiry forward, adding that police would try to obtain it through biometric verification and the identity documents of Ali’s mother.
The investigating officer also sought more time to complete medical and investigation reports. The court allowed additional time and ordered that a progress report and medical examination report be submitted at the next hearing on August 24.
The case remains closely watched because it involves the suspicious death of a young Karachi businessman and continuing questions over the direction of the investigation. The next hearing is expected to be significant, as investigators will have to update the court on digital evidence, medical findings and the broader progress made in establishing how Mir Raza Ali died.