By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: IGP Islamabad held a meeting to review progress of trial of Noor Muqaddam Case in context of yesterday’s proceedings and media reports. The meeting was attended by DIG Operation, Chief Prosecutor, SSP Investigation, SP Investigation, DSP Legal and IO of the case. IGP asked the officers to explain the proceedings and happenings that took place.
IGP was briefed that during the Cross Examination of the Investigation Officer, questions were asked from the IO which he answered very briefly as the IO was asked to answer in Yes or No. The answers had to corroborate with the facts of the case file. However this whole proceeding was misinterpreted in some media reports.
Following were the questions put to IO:Question: Was the pant of the accused stained with blood? Answer: No_Explanation: The pant was not stained with blood but the shirt of the accused was stained with blood of the victim Noor Muqaddam, as per PFSA report. Question: Were there any fingerprints found on the knife, the weapon of offense? Answer: The knife recovered from the crime scene was taken into custody, sealed by NFSA and sent to PFSA for fingerprints whichcould not be developed by the latter. But, the report confirmed the blood of Noor Muqaddam on the knife. Question: Was a photogrammetry test conducted for theidentification of the victim Noor Muqaddam? A: Photogrammetry test is conducted for theidentification of the accused so that he could not negate his presence at the crime scene. The detailed report of the PFSA is yet to be read at the next hearing which contains comprehensive forensic evidence, sufficient for theconviction of the accused. The crime scene was visited by senior most officers at the time of occurrence and the scene was completely preserved by forensic experts of National Forensic Science Agency to avoid any contamination. The PFSA reports confirm the following facts: (1) Rape was committed with Noor before being killed, DNA confirmed.(2) Noor made every possible attempt to save her life before being killed. Zahir’s DNA, i.e skin, has been recovered under the nails of NoorMuqaddam.(3) The shirt worn by and recovered from Zahir was stained with Noor Muqaddam’s blood.
DNA of Noor Muqaddam found on Zahir’s shirt.(4) Noor Muqaddam was killed with the swiss knife recoveredfrom the crime scene. DNA, i.e. blood, of Noor Muqaddam was found on the blade and handle of the swiss knife.(5) Noor Muqaddam was also attacked with the knuckle punchrecovered from the crime scene.
DNA i.e. blood, of Noor Muqaddam was found on the knuckle punch. All these forensic pieces of evidence were collected fromthe crime scene in a professional manner and were sent to Punjab Forensic Science Agency. These are very strong pieces of forensic evidence and the Investigation team is committed to seek justice for Noor Muqaddam. IGP directed the officers to follow the case in the best possible manner, and he should be briefed regularly in this regard.
