New Developments in Mustafa Murder Case Unveiled
Police Recover Body of Missing Youth After January 6 Disappearance
KARACHI: Significant developments have emerged in the abduction and murder case of Mustafa Amir, a young student whose charred body was discovered on Friday night following his prolonged disappearance.
The case took a critical turn when the primary suspect, Armughan, fired at an Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) team—a specialized unit of the Karachi police handling murder and extortion cases—during a raid at his residence in Karachi’s DHA earlier this month.
For weeks, the case has dominated headlines as authorities struggled to locate Mustafa before achieving a breakthrough last night.
Mustafa, a BBA student, was reported missing on January 6. Days later, authorities found charred human remains—believed to be his—inside a burnt vehicle near the Hub checkpost.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly murdered Mustafa before setting his body ablaze.
Friends Turned Foes: The Fatal Argument
Authorities revealed on Saturday that Armughan and Mustafa were friends but had a heated dispute on New Year's night. Following the altercation, Armughan allegedly threatened both Mustafa and his female companion.
On January 6, the day Mustafa vanished, Armughan reportedly summoned him and subjected him to violence. The girl connected to the case traveled abroad on January 12, and officials are working with Interpol to reach her, as her statement is deemed critical for the investigation.
Following the discovery of the victim’s body, murder charges were officially added based on testimony from another suspect, Shiraz Bukhari alias Shavez. Karachi police confirmed that Hub police had initially found the body but were unable to establish its identity at the time.
Discovery of Burnt Car and Charred Remains
Hub police stated that on January 11, they received reports of a burning vehicle at 7 PM. Officers arrived to find a body inside and transferred it to Civil Hospital Hub for post-mortem examination.
The burnt vehicle was seized for forensic analysis, launching an official inquiry into the gruesome murder.
Faisal Edhi, head of the Edhi Foundation, disclosed that Balochistan police handed over the body to his organization on January 12. Due to the body being severely burned, it was kept in Karachi’s morgue for four days as per standard procedures before being buried at Mawachh Goth graveyard.
He further stated that exhumation could be conducted with a magistrate’s approval if the family wished to reclaim the remains.
Suspect Shiraz’s Role in Cover-up
Investigators confirmed that Shiraz was an accomplice of Armughan and played a role in the murder and disposal of the body. Authorities are now seeking court permission to extend Armughan’s remand for further questioning.
As the case progressed, Karachi police obtained a copy of the FIR registered at Hub Dureji police station on January 12. The case, filed on behalf of the state, includes murder charges against unidentified suspects.
Sindh High Court Involvement in Suspect's Remand
In a related legal battle, police approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) to obtain physical remand for Armughan after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) denied their request.
Prosecutors challenged the ATC’s decision to send the suspect to judicial custody, arguing that it hindered the investigation. They also opposed the ruling that called for an inquiry against the police team involved in the raid, describing the decision as legally perplexing.
The plea requests the SHC to overturn the ATC ruling and allow investigators to proceed without restrictions.
Meanwhile, a trial court extended Shiraz’s police remand until February 12 and demanded a progress report from the lead investigator.
DNA Test Confirms Victim’s Identity
Authorities received a crucial DNA report confirming that blood samples found at Armughan’s residence matched those of Mustafa’s mother.
The South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) stated that forensic teams had discovered bloodstains at the suspect’s house, leading them to collect samples for verification. Mustafa’s mother later provided her DNA for comparison, establishing the victim’s identity beyond doubt.
Following this revelation, police have applied for further remand of the suspect and permission for Mustafa’s body exhumation to strengthen the case.
Police-Armed Standoff at Suspect’s Residence
The investigation faced setbacks when police attempted to raid Armughan’s house, resulting in a prolonged armed standoff. The confrontation left two officers, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), injured. However, law enforcement eventually subdued the suspect and arrested him.
In a press briefing, Crime Investigation Agency Deputy Inspector General (CIA-DIG) Muqaddas Haider described the recovery of Mustafa’s mobile phone and blood evidence from Armughan’s house as a pivotal moment in the case.
Although police continued their search for Mustafa, little progress was made beyond collecting key evidence, including his phone and forensic samples from the bungalow.
Suspect's Confession and Reversal
During interrogation, Armughan initially confessed to the murder but later retracted his statement.
The investigation encountered further roadblocks as legal hurdles prevented the AVCC from securing police remand for the suspect, delaying crucial leads in the case.
As authorities push forward with legal proceedings, the case remains a focal point of Karachi’s law enforcement efforts, with justice for Mustafa hanging in the balance.
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