ISLAMABAD: Doctors at Adiala Jail have declared that Zahir Jaffer, the principal accused in the Noor Mukadam murder case, is medically and psychologically fit.

During the previous hearing, the court had asked the jail authorities to conduct a medical examination on the accused.

As the trial court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani is nearing to conclude the trial, Zahir resorted to show that he was unwell physically or mentally.

In the previous hearing, the police had brought the alleged murderer to the court on a chair and on Thursday he was brought on a stretcher.

The jail doctors in a report stated that the accused was examined multiple times and found in good health. The report also said psychologists also declared him in a good mental health.

Noor, 27, was beheaded at Zahir Jaffer’s residence in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad on July 20, 2021.

A first information report (FIR) was registered the same day against Zahir and he was arrested from the site of the murder.

The court on October 14 indicted Zahir along with 11 others - his parents, their three household staff, including Iftikhar (watchman), Jan Mohammad (gardener) and Jameel (cook), Therapyworks CEO Tahir Zahoor and employees Amjad, Dilip Kumar, Abdul Haq, Wamiq and Samar Abbas. The murder trial formally began on Oct 20.

On Thursday, the defence counsel cross-examined investigation officer Abdul Sattar.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2022