Zahir warned against repeating disruptive behaviour

Failure to comply with court’s order to revoke suspect’s appearance in future hearings

ISLAMABAD:

A district and sessions court has issued a warning to Zahir Jaffer, prime suspect in the Noor Muqqadam murder case, to not repeat his disruptive antics from the November 3 hearing of the case.

During court proceedings on November 3, Zahir had resorted to hurling abuses and mocking judicial procedures while witnesses had been recording their statements and were being cross-examined. He also manhandled police officials when they forcibly escorted him out of the courtroom on Judge Atta Rabbani’s orders.

The written order on Saturday notified the accused to avoid a repetition of his disrespectful attitude, failing which he will not be allowed to appear before the bench for the hearings onward.

“He is directed to mend his attitude; otherwise, his attendance will be exempted from the court and he will be taken on a video link from jail,” the judge wrote in his short order.

The next hearing will be conducted on November 10, with Judge Rabbani summoning the remaining prosecution witnesses to record their testimony.

Read Zahir Jaffer kicked out of courtroom for creating 'drama'

According to details, the statements of seven witnesses have been recorded and all but one have been cross-examined as well.

Cartographer Amir Shehzad, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Muhammad Riaz, Head Constable Farasat Faheem, prosecution witness Abid Latif, ASI Basharat and Aqsa Rani have given their testimonies.

The decapitated body of 27-year-old Noor had been found at Zahir’s residence on July 20, leading to the arrest of the prime suspect and the registration of an FIR.

A lengthy investigation and multiple arrests later, the courts indicted Zahir among 11 others, including his parents Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee, Therapy Works Chief Executive Officer Tahir Zahoor Ahmed along with five of his staff, and three of the prime suspect’s household employees.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2021.