ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday ordered the prosecution to present evidence against Ismat Adamjee, the mother of prime suspect Zahir Jaffer who has not been specifically mentioned by the authorities for abetment in the Noor Mukadam murder case, by October 18, local media reported. 

Mukadam, 27, was found beheaded at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale F-7/4 neighborhood on July 20 in a case that has sparked public outrage and grabbed media attention unlike any other recent crime against women. 

Key suspect Zahir Jaffer was arrested from the crime scene on the day of the murder. He was initially on police remand but was moved to Adiala Jail in the city of Rawalpindi on judicial remand in early August. His parents, Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee, and three members of household staff are also under arrest for a range of charges, including abetment and hiding evidence. 

After having their petitions rejected by the sessions and high courts, the Jaffers last week filed a petition in the Supreme Court, requesting it to allow them “to be released on post-arrest bail pending trial.” 

While Islamabad police investigators earlier said that Zahir’s father Zakir Jaffer had tried to destroy the evidence and dispose of the victim’s body, there has been no specific mention of his mother in connection with abetment and attempts to hide or destroy evidence. 

During the hearing on Monday, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah inquired where Ismat Adamjee had been mentioned in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) order, Geo News reported. 

“Ismat Jaffer has not even been mentioned by the IHC in its order [denying the couple bail],” the report quoted Justice Umar Ata Bandial as saying. “We are just trying to understand the case.” 

Zakir and Ismat’s counsel, Khawaja Haris, contended the case had been registered against Zahir Jaffer and his parents were in Karachi at the time of the murder. 

Justice Qazi Amin later said the Noor Mukadam murder case was a very unfortunate one and extended his sympathies to the victim’s family. He said the court was seeking information only to understand the facts of the case. 

The bench later ordered the prosecution to present its evidence against Ismat Adamjee at the next hearing and adjourned the case till October 18. 

Zahir’s parents were taken into custody on July 25 for alleged abetment and concealment of evidence, among other charges filed against them. They have since been in custody.