ISLAMABAD: As the sessions court begins the trial of Noor Muqadam’s heinous murder accused Zaheer Jafar, his parents and other co-accused, legal experts have submitted incomplete challans before the court by the police to substantiate the charges. pointed out the flaws. against the suspects.
On the other hand, during a surveillance organized by Noor’s family, friends and civil society activists on the eve of her murder trial, speakers pointed out that she was a kind and compassionate person who deserved justice and along with her killer- As well as those who were involved in it. The crime should be given an exemplary punishment.
Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Atta Rabbani on Thursday decided to resume the proceedings of the case.
The police presented an incomplete challan for murder on September 8 because the main evidence – the mobile phone of alleged killer Zaheer Jafar – is yet to be examined and its data has not been retrieved to be placed on judicial record.
During the vigilance, the victim’s family, friends demanded justice
According to Inspector Abdul Sattar, the officer investigating the case, the suspect’s mobile phone was damaged on the day of the incident and the data could not be recovered.
However, he said, an application was filed before the court, seeking permission to repair the mobile phone as it could provide useful evidence to strengthen the prosecution’s case.
Interestingly, the police challan largely cited Zaheer’s phone, which he used to frequently talk to his parents and others.
According to the challan, the mobile phone was working even after Zaheer was beheading Noor as it said that Zakir Jafar, the father of the alleged killer, pacified his son by telling his men to save him and dispose of the body. are on the way.
Earlier, Inspector General of Police Salimulla Khan is also surprised. He said that the investigating officer should have filed an application for repair of the mobile phone at the very beginning itself.
Mr Khan pointed out that the police did not enforce sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Hudud Ordinance, which would make it difficult to negotiate an out-of-court settlement.
“Since the offenses are compoundable, the accused persons can settle with the victim’s family and there is no law to stop this settlement,” he said. He said the accused may face trial under section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. (PPC) for alleged rape.
It may be mentioned that recent data from the Islamabad Sessions Court showed that in more than 80 per cent of the cases, alleged rape offenders were acquitted by courts due to weak prosecution, faulty investigation or out-of-court settlement.
Senior advocate Raja Inam Amin Minhas said that the police have weakened their own case by making the injured medical worker an accused in the case.
“He can be a star witness as he saw the body covered in blood of the deceased and came under the attack of Zaheer Jafar and was grievously injured,” he said, adding that under the law of evidence, an injured witness The testimony is important, so the injured accused should be made a government witness.
The police challan also cited 18 witnesses and almost all of them were government officials, he said, adding that the statements of government officials other than in drug-related matters were not considered independent and their initial statement was lagging behind. was likely to leave.
He said the police should have used the statements of the accused recorded by the magistrate instead of the investigating officer.
He said that since the police has presented the evidence before the court, it is now the responsibility of the prosecution to prove the charges against the suspects.
According to the investigation report of Islamabad police filed in the trial court, Noor Muqadam had missed six chances which could have saved his life.
“If his accomplices had done something else, his life could have been saved,” the report said. The report is also commonly known as ‘Challan’ of Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
Watch out for Noori
Jagran was organized in memory of Noor Mukadam outside the National Press Club on Wednesday.
The program began with a recitation of the Quran by Isa Nasir, followed by a brief introduction by Osman Khalid Butt, a respected activist and friend of Noor and her family.
Noor’s sister Sara Mukadam sang her a heartwarming song titled ‘My Beautiful Noor’, underlining that their relationship was like friendship.
Former ambassador Tariq Khan Afridi’s wife Christina Afridi, who knew Noor from her birth, mentioned that she was the most beautiful child. He said that his fingers, even as a newborn, reflected his artistic inclinations and abilities.
Human rights defender Tahira Abdullah said that we will uphold our faith, hope, faith and belief in our criminal justice system and ask all well wishers of Noor to do so with patience and fortitude.
Aman Umar, a friend of Noor, recited a beautiful poem written by Iyla Hussain, another friend of Noor. Maryam Ateeq, another friend of Noor, read a touching letter she had written in memory of Noor.
Noor’s father, Ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam, thanked everyone who had gathered to express solidarity with Noor and his family. He thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for expressing his deep concern during various interviews with the media.
Shri Mukadam expressed his faith in the legal system and made passionate appeals to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and High Courts as well as Additional Sessions Judges to ensure justice. “The killer should be given exemplary punishment and his accomplices should be punished according to their role,” he said.
Stating that no other daughter of Pakistan should ever go through Noor, he said it was a trial case that would determine the country’s faith in the justice system as the entire country was in search of justice.
Finally, Noor’s cousin Madiha Fawad offered a touching prayer for Noor. The program culminated by candlelight where everyone present witnessed a moment of silence for Noor and for Nyay.
Published in Dawn, September 23, 2021
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