IHC dismisses bail pleas of Zahir Jaffer's parents

Court order notes Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee aided and abetted their son in Noor Mukadam’s murder

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday dismissed the bail pleas of the parents of Zahir Jaffer, the main accused in Noor Mukadam’s murder case.

IHC judge Justice Amir Farooq announced the ruling, a week after it had been reserved following the completion of arguments from the lawyers.

Later in the day, the IHC issued the detailed order over the bail pleas, noting that Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee had aided and abetted their son in Noor Mukadam’s murder.

According to the court, the parents knew that Zahir Jaffer had taken Noor hostage, and did not inform the police despite it.

The family’s watchman made it clear that he had alerted Zakir Jaffar about the situation, the court’s decision stated, adding Zakir Jaffer then got in contact with the owner of Therapy Works.

The court noted in its order that no attempt was made to inform the police even after the CEO of Therapy Works was informed.

As per the IHC ruling, Zahir Jaffar maintains in his statement that he had informed his father before the murder, whether his statement is acceptable or not is for the trial court to decide.

The court maintained that evidence of direct assistance in aiding and abetting a crime cannot, as a rule, apply everywhere. Aiding and abetting can also be indirect, the court noted, adding that in such a situation factual evidence is sufficient.

Read Noor Mukadam murder case: A timeline

The detailed order also referred to the Supreme Court's decisions ruling that aiding and abetting a murder was as serious a crime as committing it.

The IHC has ordered the trial to be completed in two months.

In an earlier hearing, the IHC had reserved its decision on the bail plea of accused Zahir's parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee.

Counsel Shah Khawar informed Justice Farooq that the prime suspect had constantly been in contact with his parents during the incident, proving their association with the crime.

"It was an extremely brutal murder, so they should not be granted bail," he maintained.

The counsel said that a citizen, Zubair, informed the police about the murder at 8:45pm. "At that time, the Therapy Works staff was at the scene while the injured personal servant had gone for his treatment."

He further stated that Zakir Jaffer told the organisation's staff to reach the house at 7:07pm. "According to police, as per the CCTV footage, they reached the house at 8:06pm and entered the residence via the window at 8:45pm."

Last week, the IHC also set October 6 as the date for indicting the prime accused and 11 others.

Additional sessions judge Islamabad Ata Rabbani heard the case wherein six accused, including the prime suspect, were produced before the court by the police.

The six other accused, who have been granted bail, appeared before the court themselves. They include CEO Therapy Works, Tahir Zahoor, among others.