ISLAMABAD: An appeal challenging the acquittal of nine accused nominated in the Noor Mukadam’s murder case was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday.

The appeal was filed by Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, through senior advocate Shah Khawar. Besides the acquittal of six Therapy Works employees including its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tahir Zahoor, the acquittal of Zahir Jaffer’s, parents Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee and a domestic helper Muhammad Jamil has also been challenged.

Earlier on February 24, a sessions court in Islamabad comprising Additional Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani had sentenced Zahir Jaffer to death for the murder of Noor Mukadam. The court had also found him guilty of rape and handed him 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs200,000.

Zahir Jaffer’s household staff Muhammad Iftikhar and Muhammad Jan- both co-accused in the case- were sentenced to 10 years in jail. While all others, including Zahir Jaffer’s parents and Therapy Works employees, were acquitted.

Zahir Jaffer’s employees- watchman Muhammad Iftikhar and gardener Jan Muhammad, were sentenced to 10 years in prison for abetting in the criminal act.

The court, however, had acquitted the Zaher Jaffer’s parents Zakir Jaffer and Ismat Adamjee, as well as other suspects in the case including Therapy Works employees, from the charge of abetment.

The appeal argues that in presence of the sufficient digital evidence against the accused, the acquittal by the trial court was against the law, thus the accused should be punished in accordance with law.