IHC moved against acquittal of nine accused in Noor murder case

Acquittal of accused against the law as digital evidence available, the appeal prays

ISLAMABAD:

An appeal was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday against the acquittal of nine accused in the Noor Mukadam's murder case.

The appeals were filed on behalf of Noor's father, Shaukat Mukadam, by lawyer Shah Khawar which challenged the acquittal of Zahir’s parents Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee and domestic helper Jamil.

The appeal also challenged the acquittal of six Therapy Works employees including its CEO Tahir Zahoor.

On February 24, a sessions court in Islamabad handed down the death penalty to Zahir Jaffer for the murder of Noor Mukadam while his employees, watchman Muhammad Iftikhar and gardener Jan Muhammad, were sentenced to 10 years in prison for abetting in the act.

However, Additional Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani acquitted his parents, Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee, as well as other suspects in the case including Therapy Works employees, from the charge of abetment.

Read More: Noor Mukadam murder case: A timeline

“Digital evidence is available against the accused. The acquittal of the trial court was against the law,” the appeal stated. “The accused should be punished in accordance with the law.”

On March 11, the high court was moved to increase the sentence of Zahir Jaffer and two other accused in the case.

According to the appeal, there was digital evidence against the two domestic staffers and the trial court had given a reduced sentence.