ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Thursday turned down the bail request of the parents of the prime suspect in the murder of the daughter of a former ambassador.
Noor Mukadam, 27, was found murdered at the residence of one Zahir Zakir in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad last month. Zakir, widely believed to be the killer, was arrested the same day for his purported involvement in the gruesome incident.
A first information report registered on the complaint of Ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam nominated Zakir under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Islamabad police on July 24 arrested Zakir Jaffar and Asmat Adamjee, the parents, and the domestic staff of Zakir for “hiding evidence” and “being complicit” in the incident that shook the nation, prompting outrage and nationwide protests.
Following their arrest, the parents were sent to jail on judicial remand until August 9. They subsequently moved a petition challenging their detention.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, counsel for the parents, claimed the couple was made a part of the probe on the basis of their son’s statement, insisting they did not know what was happening in the house where the victim and the perpetrator were present.
However, the public prosecutor, Naseem Zia, argued that at the time of the murder, Zakir was in contact with his parents, who did not inform the police.
“The servant called [them] when the act [Noor’s murder] was being committed but instead of informing the police, they sent [employees of] Therapy Works [an Islamabad-based drug rehab and Zakir’s purported employer],” he told the court.
The detailed verdict suggests the judge, Muhammad Sohail, did not accept the argument that the parents were implicated as a malicious afterthought and observed they were implicated only after their role became apparent after further investigation.
A breakdown of the judge’s order, dismissing Zahir’s parents’ bail petitions. (Thread)
— Justice for Noor (@justicefornoor) August 5, 2021
The parents “not only caused abetment but also made utmost efforts to wipe off the evidences [sic],” the court ruled.
Following the proceedings, the court reserved its decision, announcing to release it Thursday (today).
POLICE DIRECTED TO HALT ‘VIP TREATMENT’ TO SUSPECT:
Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan said he had directed prison authorities to stop with “immediate effect” any preferential treatment for the suspect, confirming he was being kept in solitary confinement in a high-security cell at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Arab News reported.
The development came a day after Zakir was purportedly taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences after he complained of a headache.
“I’ve ordered the jail superintendent that no VIP treatment should be given to Zahir or his family and he should not even be allowed to meet his father who is in another barrack at the same jail,” Chohan said.
“They are not in jail to celebrate birthday parties.”
He said hospital visits, clothing changes and other special treatment would no longer be granted to Jaffer or his family. “He [suspect] will have to eat jail food from now on.”
Adiala Jail Superintendent Arshad Warraich confirmed his office had received these orders from the minister, adding: “No one is allowed to see Zahir as he is being kept in a tightly-guarded solitary confinement cell.”
