Zahir Jaffar was sentenced to death
Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani had reserved the verdict two days ago after a four-month trial, which was announced today.
Lawyers, employees of therapy works, mother of the main accused Ismat Adam, father Zakir Jaffer and plaintiff Shaukat Mukadam were present in the court room at the time of pronouncement of the verdict.
Details of the decision
The court in a short verdict sentenced Zahir Jaffer to death under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code in connection with the premeditated murder and ordered to pay Rs 500,000 compensation to Noor Mukadam’s heirs.
According to the verdict, the death sentence of the accused will be upheld by the Islamabad High Court.
In addition, the accused under section 364 (kidnapping for murder) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. A fine of Rs 1 lakh was also imposed.
In addition, co-accused Jan Mohammad (Baghban) and Iftikhar (Chowkidar) were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh each.
However, the court acquitted all the employees including Tahir Zahoor, owner of the therapy works, Ismat Adam and Zakir Jaffer, parents of the main accused.
Welcoming the decision of the victim’s father
After the verdict, the victim’s father Shaukat Mukadam while talking to the media appreciated the verdict of the court and thanked the media for keeping the matter ‘alive’.
He declined to comment on the acquittal of the other accused, saying he would consult his lawyers.
He termed the verdict as a victory of court and justice and said that the main accused has been given exemplary sentence.
Shaukat Mukadam said, “Everyone was praying for (justice) and the whole nation and the world was with us.”