ISLAMABAD: A bench of Islamabad High Court on Wednesday ordered the Islamabad police chief and the investigation officer to appear before the court in person in the Noor Mukadam murder case hearing as it resumed hearing of bail petitions of prime suspect Zahir Zaffer’s parents in the high-profile murder case.
Justice Aamir Farooq of the IHC heard the petitions moved by Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Jaffer.
The government counsel said that the case should be heard by a division bench of the high court.
“How the case can be referred to a division bench if the charge-sheet has been submitted to a division bench,” Justice Aamir Farooq questioned. “You are a young man, tell the Advocate General to appear and give arguments in the case,” Justice Farooq further said.
“In a high profile case, which has been under debate for three days, you are saying this,” the court said.
Moreover, the IHC granted respite to the lawyers of Therapy Works’ employees for preparation in the Noor Mukadam murder case after hearing their plea, asking for more time to prepare a case.
Meanwhile, an additional sessions judge approved the bail of six suspects after submission of surety bonds worth Rs500,000.
The court had also ordered the six suspects, who are employees of Therapy Works, to appear at the next hearing,
Advocate Raja Rizwan Abbasi had informed the court that he would move a plea seeking an in-camera hearing of the case, to which the judge remarked that he would decide it as per law after it is filed.
Yesterday, Therapy Works CEO Zahoor moved an application seeking to become a party to the case. The court issued notices to the accused’s lawyer, and other respondents to file their reply to the plea.
The prime suspect’s parents, who have been nominated as accomplices in the murder case, have approached the Islamabad High Court after a local court rejected their bail petitions on August 5.
Zahir Jaffer has been found guilty in the case challan with his parents and Therapy Works CEO and employees named accomplices.
On July 20, in a grisly murder, Noor Mukadam had been put to death allegedly by her friend Zahir Jaffer, in the vicinity of Islamabad’s Kohsar police station.
with additional input from INP
