The Supreme Court of Pakistan recently released its detailed verdict in the Noor Mukadam murder case, confirming Zahir Jaffar's death sentence while commuting his rape conviction to life imprisonment. The court emphasized the validity of video evidence under the Silent Witness Theory, stating that CCTV footage, DVR recordings, and DNA reports were crucial in establishing Jaffar's guilt. The judgment also upheld the punishments for co-accused individuals involved in the case. Noor Mukadam, a 27-year-old victim, was brutally murdered in July 2021, leading to a series of legal proceedings that culminated in this decision.
According to the Supreme Court's ruling, authentic video footage can serve as primary evidence, even without an eyewitness. The court highlighted the importance of maintaining the standards of digital evidence and ensuring its reliability. In Zahir Jaffar's case, the court found no evidence of tampering in the video recordings and confirmed the accuracy of the accused's identification and DNA evidence. The murder weapon was also linked to the victim through blood analysis.
The verdict emphasized the significance of digital evidence in modern trials, stating that if CCTV footage meets established standards, additional verification is unnecessary. While Jaffar's death penalty for murder was upheld, his sentence for rape was commuted to life imprisonment. Co-accused individuals Muhammad Iftikhar and Muhammad Jan will continue to serve their respective sentences, with a provision for their release due to time served.
The court's decision marks the culmination of a complex legal process that began with Noor Mukadam's tragic death in 2021. The detailed verdict underscores the importance of video evidence in criminal cases and sets a precedent for future trials involving digital proof.
Source: The Express Tribune