A sessions court has rejected prime accused Zahir Jaffer’s request for a mental health assessment by a medical board in the ongoing trial pertaining to the murder of Noor Mukadam.
Following arguments on Wednesday from both the prosecution and defense, Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani rejected the prosecution’s plea for the formation of a medical board. The case has been adjourned until January 15.
At the same hearing, CCTV footage, which captured Noor and Zahir together just moments before the gruesome murder, was de-sealed and played before the court. Questions regarding the footage’s length and the memory capacity of the taping system were also interrogated.
Public prosecutor Hassan Abbas spent the majority of his arguments convincing the court of Zahir Jaffer’s capacity and soundness of mind in the days and months leading up to the murder.
He displayed Zahir’s photo on the Jaffer family’s company website, and noted that the building where the murder took place is also a branch office of the family company.
Council for Zahir Jaffer notified the court that the accused was receiving harassment and abuse on social media.
In a separate trial before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), an employee from Therapy Works, where Zahir sought treatment, has filed a case against Zahir and investigation officer Abdul Sattar. The IHC case has been adjourned until January 17.
