Convict in Noor Mukadam murder case is mental patient, SC told 

Salman Safdar, counsel for Zahir Jaffer, who had been handed down a death sentence in Noor Mukadam murder case, on Tuesday told the Supreme Court (SC) that the trial court and the high court, while giving their decisions, had overlooked the fact that his client was a mental patient, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

During the hearing of an appeal filed by Zahir against his conviction, Salman sought adjournment of the case’s hearing, saying he wanted to submit some additional documents in the apex court, which he claimed would entirely change the nature of the case.

A three-member bench of the SC, headed by Justice Hashim Kakar, heard the appeal.

Addressing Salman, Justice Kakar remarked that when he was present in the courtroom, what was the point in putting off the hearing?

Zahir’s lawyer said that the courts did not even take into account the SC decisions, which were relevant to the case. 

Justice Baqir Najafi asked whether the point that the convict was mentally deranged had been raised in the courts. 

Salman replied that the courts entirely overlooked the point. 

Justice Hashim Kakar told Salman that the hearing was put off only when either a judge or a lawyer had passed away. “These are we, not the judicial system, who are to blame for adjourning the hearings.”

The judge asked the lawyer to file the application and the court would give its decision on it. 

Shah Khawar, counsel for the petitioner, said he strongly opposed the application.

Later, the court adjourned the case’s hearing until May 19.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori