Zahir’s parents, guards sent on judicial remand

Seek bail as court adjourns hearing till July 30

ISLAMABAD:

The parents and two domestic workers of prime suspect Zahir Jaffer have been sent to jail on judicial remand in Noor Mukadam’s murder case. The suspects Zakir Jaffer, Asmat Adamjee, Iftikhar and Jameel were presented before Judicial Magistrate Shoaib Akhtar under strict security on Tuesday.

The public prosecutor Sajid Cheema told the court that they have completed the investigation from all suspects and pleaded to send them on judicial remand.

At this, the court asked the lawyer of the victim’s father, Shah Khawar, if they wanted to say anything at the police’s request. However, the lawyer said they had no objection if the suspects were sent to jail on judicial remand. Hence, the court approved the remand of the suspects and sent them to Adiala jail and directed to reproduce them in court on August 10.

Meanwhile, Raja Rizwan, the counsel representing the suspect’s parents, requested the judge to discharge his clients from the case. However, Judge Akhtar remarked that the court had already awarded them judicial remand.

At this, the lawyer pleaded with the court to include his request in the written orders, which the judge accepted. Rizwan also prayed before the court to allow him to meet with his clients following which the suspect’s parents were brought to the courtroom and the meeting was held.

Later, Zahir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee filed a post-arrest bail plea in the court after which the court issued a notice to the police. The sessions court also issued notice to Noor Muqaddam’s father for July 30. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Sohail will conduct the hearing on the post-arrest bail plea on Friday.

Moreover, US Embassy in Pakistan has clarified that Americans are subject to a country’s laws in a foreign country. The tweet was posted after an emissary met Zahir Jaffer. However, the embassy did not mention any name or gave a reference to the case.

"When Americans are arrested abroad, the embassy can check on their well-being and provide a list of lawyers," the embassy said in a statement on Twitter. However, it cannot provide legal advice or participate in court proceedings or affect their release, it added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2021.