Evidence sought against suspect's mother in Noor murder

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Monday ordered the prosecution to present on October 18 its evidence against the mother of the prime suspect as it took up her bail petition in the murder of a former ambassador’s daughter.

Noor Mukadam, 27, was found murdered at the residence of one Zahir Zakir in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad in July. Zakir, widely believed to be the killer, was arrested the same day for his purported involvement in the gruesome incident.

Investigators say the two were friends, and Zakir lured Mukadam to his home, held her there for two days, and then brutally murdered her.

A first information report registered on the complaint of Ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam, Mukadam’s father, nominated Zakir under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, the parents were arrested days later on charges of abetting the murder, filed separate petitions challenging the rejection of their bail petitions by the Islamabad High Court. The court had also ordered authorities to keep them in detention until the completion of the trial.

During the hearing, Justice Umar Ata Bandial pointed out there was no mention of Adamjee in the IHC order denying bail to the duo.

Justice Qazi Amin remarked that the murder was a sad incident and added that "we sympathise with the family of the deceased".

The petitioner's counsel, Khawaja Haris, told the court he is yet to receive the forensic reports. He expressed apprehension the high court order to complete the trial in two months will affect the right to a fair trial.

The court, however, observed while the right to a fair trial was a must, "but the delay in handling the case only adds to anxiety".

Subsequently, adjourning the proceedings until October 18, the court directed the prosecution to submit all the evidence against Adamjee before the next hearing.

Last week, a district and sessions court in Islamabad fixed October 14 for the indictment of suspects.

A total of 12 people will be indicted in the case, including Zakir, his parents Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, three household staff — Iftikhar, Jan Muhammad and Jameel — and six Therapy Works employees including Tahir Zahoor, Amjad, Dilip Kumar, Abdul Haq, Wamiq and Samar Abbas.

The court had last month set October 6 for framing charges in the case, but deferred it after the suspects filed fresh petitions, seeking certain documents along with the copy of the challan.