Noor Muqqadam murder case put off sans hearing

Judge hints at changing lawyer representing main suspect over nonappearance

ISLAMABAD:

The hearing in the Noor Muqqadam murder case was adjourned after lawyers representing the accused including Zahir Jaffer, the main accused in the Noor Muqqadam murder case, did not appear in the court on Wednesday.

When Additional Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani took up the case, police produced Zahir Jaffer in the courtroom in handcuffs. During the court appearance of the suspect, media representatives, lawyers and unsolicited persons were shoved out of the courtroom for some minutes.

After sometimes the judge asked the police to take away the accused back to the Bakhshi Khana.

The case was adjourned without hearing due to the non-appearance of the lawyers representing the main suspect and other co-accused.

Therapy Works lawyer Akram Qureshi and the main accused's prosecutor Sikandar Zulqarnain Saleem did not appear in the court.

The judge while addressing Public Prosecutor Hassan Abbas remarked that if Sikandar Zulqarnain Saleem did not appear at the next hearing, another lawyer would be appointed in his place to represent Zahir Jaffer.

The trial court has already summoned plaintiff Shaukat Muqaddam to record his statement at the next hearing on January 5.

CDR witness Mudassar will also be cross-examined at the next hearing. Arguments on the main accused's plea to form a medical board will also be heard at the next hearing. The Therapy Works' petition to summon three more witnesses will also be heard at the next hearing.

The Islamabad High Court has given the trial court six more weeks to complete the trial.

The high court had earlier directed the trial court to wrap up the case in two months. However, the statements of witnesses could not be completed.

Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani had written a letter to the high court seeking an extension to wrap up the case. Statements of 17 witnesses have been recorded in the Noor Muqqadam case while cross-examination of 16 has also been completed.

During the hearing, the main accused Zahir Zakir, co-accused Zakir Jaffer and others were produced in the court. Accused Ismat Adam and the other accused on bail also appeared before the court. Further hearing of Noor Muqqadam murder case was adjourned till January 5.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2021.