On Wednesday, a sessions court in Islamabad reserved its decision on an application filed by Zahir Jaffer’s legal team, seeking the formation of a medical board to examine his mental health in the Noor Mukadam murder case.
On July 20, Noor, a 27-year-old woman, was found slain at a home in the capital’s affluent Sector F-7/4. On the complaint of the victim’s father, Shaukat Ali Mukadam, a first information report was filed against Zahir, who was apprehended from the scene of the murder, under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
Zahir, his parents, their three household staff members Iftikhar (watchman), Jan Muhammad (gardener), and Jameel (cook), Therapyworks CEO Tahir Zahoor, and employees Amjad, Dilip Kumar, Abdul Haq, Wamiq, and Samar Abbas were indicted in the case by a trial court on October 14. On October 20, the murder trial formally commenced.
Witnesses in the Noor Mukadam murder case were cross-examined as the court began hearings, and CCTV footage of the events leading up to the murder was shown in the courtroom.
Tahir Zahoor, the proprietor of Therapy Works, a counselling and psychotherapy firm, and an accused in the murder case, had requested an in-camera hearing for the CCTV footage on December 8.
After the incident’s CCTV tape was leaked in November, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority banned all satellite television channels from airing it.
The court now de-sealed the DVD containing CCTV footage. Media and lawyers who were not involved in the case were asked to leave the courtroom before the video was broadcast. The courtroom was reopened for observers after the tape was shown.
Meanwhile, Zahir’s counsel cross-examined computer operator Mudassir today, asking him questions about the length of the CCTV footage and the memory capacity of the DVR on which it was recorded.
On December 1, the accused’s attorney submitted a motion to establish a medical board to examine Zahir’s mental state.
Advocate Shah Khawar, who represents Noor’s family, filed a written response to the defendant’s plea in court today, asking the court to deny the motion.
“Zahir Jafar continued to appear in court for remand and trial on several times,” Khawar stated. “The chief accused’s application was submitted as the trial was coming to a close.”
Zahir had inquired why Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence or offering false information to screen perpetrator) had been placed on him, according to public prosecutor Hassan Abbas, during one of the hearings.
He went on to say that Zahir used to counsel pupils at a local school, and that “all of these things are on record,” as he argued against the accused’s application to join a medical board.
Sikandar Zulqarnain, Zahir’s lawyer, also presented his case. He said that the request for a medical board was only made after observing his client’s behaviour during the trial.
It’s worth noting that Zahir was escorted out of the courtroom several times during the trial for throwing obscenities at the judge and being disruptive during proceedings.
Following that, the court deferred its decision on the formation of a medical board and adjourned the case until January 15.
Zahir’s parents and domestic employees were arrested on July 24 after the FIR in the murder case was filed, allegedly for “hiding evidence and being involved in the crime.” Based on Noor’s father’s account, they were included in the inquiry.
Shaukat claimed in his complaint that on July 19, he went to Rawalpindi to buy a goat for Eidul Azha, while his wife went out to pick up garments from the tailor. When he returned home in the evening, the couple discovered that their daughter Noor was missing from their Islamabad home.
They discovered her mobile number was switched off and began looking for her. According to the FIR, Noor called her parents later to notify them that she was going to Lahore with some friends and would be back in a day or two.
The complainant claimed he afterwards received a call from Zahir, whose family was acquainted with the ex-diplomat. According to the FIR, the suspect informed Shaukat that Noor was not with him.
Zahir admitted to killing Noor, according to police, and his DNA test and fingerprints also proved his involvement in the murder.
