Review petition rejected as court finds no evidence to support mental illness claim
Image: Dissent Today
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the review petition filed by Zahir Jaffer, upholding his death sentence in the high-profile murder case of Noor Muqaddam.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar issued a short order, ruling that the arguments presented by the convict did not warrant any change to the judgments already delivered by the lower courts.
During the hearing, defence counsel Khawaja Haris argued that Jaffer was suffering from mental health issues at the time of the crime and had been receiving psychiatric treatment.
The court, however, questioned the claim and observed that allegations of mental illness must be supported by credible medical records, treatment history, and reliable evidence. The bench noted that the documents submitted, including a medical letter allegedly issued from abroad, failed to meet the legal standard required to establish such a defence.
With the review petition dismissed, the Supreme Court effectively upheld the decisions of the trial court and appellate courts in the case.
Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Noor Muqaddam’s father, Shaukat Muqaddam, welcomed the decision and expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
He revealed that he had been approached with settlement offers during the legal proceedings but refused to compromise. Becoming emotional, he said the case was not only about seeking justice for his daughter but also about ensuring the safety and protection of all daughters in Pakistan.
Shaukat Muqaddam thanked the media and those who supported his family throughout the lengthy legal battle, adding that despite the time taken, justice had ultimately prevailed.
