Mukadam was found beheaded at Jaffer’s house
A trial court in Islamabad ordered the death penalty to Zahir Jaffer on Thursday for the murder of Noor Mukadam. The accused was also found guilty of rape under Section 376 for which he is awarded rigorous imprisonment of 25 years along with a fine of Rs200,000
Additional District and Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani pronounced the verdict, which was earlier reserved on Tuesday following months of trial.
Zahir’s parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee and the employees of Therapy Works, who were present at the court during the hearing, were absolved by the court.
However, the co-accused watchman and gardener of Zahir’s house, Iftikhar and Jan Mohammad respectively, were awarded with 10 years of jail for aiding in the abetment of crime.
Zahir has been sentenced to death under Section 302(b) (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The judgment, however, is subject to confirmation by the Islamabad High Court.
He has also been ordered to pay Rs0.5 million to Noor’s legal heir. If not paid, the amount would be realised as arrears of land revenue and in case of non-realisation, he would have to undergo six months simple imprisonment.
In addition to that, Zahir has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000 for kidnapping in order to murder (Section 364) and one year of rigorous imprisonment for wrongful confinement (Section 342).
Noor’s father praised the verdict
Shaukat Mukadam, Noor’s father, applauded the court’s verdict and thanked the media for keeping the matter “alive”.
“An exemplary punishment has been given to the primary accused,” he said while speaking to the media outside the court. He called the verdict a “victory” for the court and justice.
Noor Mukadam case
Last year on July 20th, Noor Mukadam, aged 27, was found murdered at Zahir’s residence in Islamabad’s Sector F-7/4. A first information report (FIR) was registered the same day against the prime accused Zahir Jaffer who was arrested from the site of the murder.
The FIR was recorded under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the complaint of the victim’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, who is a retired diplomat.