ISLAMABAD: Zahir Jaffer, the primary suspect in the murder of Noor Mukadam, has told the trial court that he did not kill the 27-year-old woman and was only involved in the case because it occurred at his home.
The main accused has also asked to be permitted to provide evidence in his defence before the court in response to a questionnaire submitted through his counsel Usman Gul under section 342 of the penal code.
The chief suspect and other accused were brought before Additional Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani when the case was taken up for hearing.
In his response, the primary accused, Zahir Jaffar, claims that Noor Mukadam came to his residence on July 20 with some companions for a “drug party.” He claimed that his parents and other members of his family were in Karachi for Eid, leaving him alone at home.
“When the party started, everyone of my pals, including myself and the victim (Noor), used drugs,” Zahir stated, adding that he lost consciousness due to excessive drug usage and found himself trapped in my lounge hours later when he regained consciousness.
The main accused claimed that he was rescued after hours by uniformed police officers and somebody dressed in civilian clothes.
Zahir Jaffer went on to say that he had a long relationship with Noor Muqaddam and that their families knew each other. “I had a living relationship with Noor Mukadam,” he stated, adding that he hadn’t spoken to her in six months before she came to visit him on July 18, 2021.
“On July 18, Noor Mukadam arrived at my residence with drugs and invited me to a drug party, which I declined. She also invited a few of her pals to the drug party at my house, and they showed up. On July 19, I had a flight to the United States.
That day, I left for the airport. Noor Mukadam had pleaded with me to cancel my flight because she wanted to accompany me to America,” the main accused stated, adding that she had also called several friends to collect ticket money for this purpose.
“This regrettable incidence happened at my residence,” he added, adding that the DNA test came back positive because “we were both in a consensual physical relationship.”
According to the medical report, a chemical induced by excessive drug use was also discovered in the samples obtained from the victim. Zahir Jaffer went on to say that he was named as a suspect because the plaintiff was powerful.
“The governmental apparatus is being used against me relentlessly.” Shaukat Mukadam, the plaintiff, is a powerful figure. He worked with the police to build a fake case against me,” the primary defendant said.
All of the accused’s lawyers filed responses under section 342 on Wednesday. On behalf of accused watchman Iftikhar, gardener Muhammad Jan, and outdoor servant Jamil, responses under section 342 were submitted. They stated that they did not wish to call any witnesses or make any statements in their defence and believed they were innocent.
Accused Iftikhar said he was not present at the time of the incident and did not intervene to stop Noor Mukadam. Accused Muhammad Jan stated he worked part-time as a gardener and came to the house three times a week. He claimed he had just been in the residence for an hour that day and had no knowledge of the incident. He said that the “malicious investigating officer” erroneously implicated him in the crime 18 days later.
He stated that he was not the house’s gatekeeper and that he did not lock the gate. “I never made a single call to Zakir Jaffar and Ismat Zakir,” he said, adding, “I did not stop Noor Mukadam physically or verbally.”
Noor Mukadam, according to Accused Jamil, was a frequent visitor to the house.
