ISLAMABAD: The trial court on Monday dismissed three applications of Zahir Jaffer, the principal accused in the Noor Mukadam murder case, against the inspector general (IG) of Islamabad police, the investigation officer of the case and the verification of ownership of the mobile phone under the deceased’s use.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani rejected the applications after hearing the arguments of defence counsel and the prosecutor.

The counsel for Jaffer was seeking action against the police officials for issuing a clarification to dispel the impression that the investigation in the murder case was flawed.

Following the cross-examination on the investigation officer Inspector Abdul Sattar, the police in a press release had clarified that stories appearing in print and social media gave the impression that the police were trying to give benefit to the principal suspect, Jaffer.

It clarified that since during the cross-examination the investigation officer was supposed to respond in either “Yes” or “No”, he could not explain certain aspects in detail.

Jaffer, accused of murdering and beheading 27-year-old Noor, filed an application seeking direction to the IGP and the Islamabad police to concentrate on their responsibilities.

It said the IGP and senior police officers held a press conference on January 25 and tried to give an impression that the court proceeding was not being conducted in accordance with the law.

In a press release, the police had said media reports “misinterpreted” the January 24 proceedings of the case, when the IO was cross-examined, and gave the impression that an attempt was being made to give benefit to the main murder accused.

The prosecutor argued that the police issued a statement through its twitter account and the IGP as well as other police officials could not even think of interfering in the court proceedings.

The court also rejected the application seeking verification of the ownership of Noor’s mobile phone as the prosecutor argued that it was filed to delay the trial.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2022