Investigation police officer Abdul Sattar on Monday testified in an Islamabad District and Session Court as the Noor Mukadam murder case entered its final stages.

Session Judge Ata Rabbani conducted the hearing of the case in which the prime accused Zahir Jaffer's lawyer Zulqarnain Sikandar appeared before the court through a video link as he tested positive for Covid-19.

In his statement, IO Sattar told the court he reached the crime scene after he got the information of Noor's murder in Kohsar police station at 10pm on July 20, 2021.

At the spot petitioner and Noor's father Shaukat Mukadam, along with the police officials, were present at Jaffer's house when Sattar reached the place where the woman's beheaded body was lying on the first floor.

When Sattar informed the court about the CCTV footage of the house, in which it was clear that Noor made several attempts to escape from Jaffer's house, lawyer Akram Qureshi, who presents Therapy Works' employees, raised objection that the investigation officer was testifying before the court after reading the record of case.

At this Judge Rabbani overruled the objections, saying "let the testimony be completed."

The body of victim had then been transferred to the hospital and a knife, along with other items was seized by the police, said Sattar.

The police took custody of four accused namely Zahir's parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee, and their two household staff Iftikhar and Jameel as they appeared in the police station.

As the hearing of the case resumed after half an hour, the defendant's lawyer reiterated that mental condition of the accused has deteriorated and he was unable to walk; Zahir was brought to court on a chair.

Judge Rabbani said he had written to the Adiala Jail authorities to conduct check-up of the accused and later Zahir was taken away from the court.

When the defendant's lawyers requested the court to issue a written order for medical examination of Zahir, Judge Rabbani remarked he had issued it in the last hearing. The defendant's lawyer said he had to submit a new plea as action was not taken on his orders

In his cross-examination with Noor's father, the defendant's lawyer expressed sorrow over the incident, however, he said he would have to ask few question as he was bound by legal issues.

When asked about the family details, Mukadam told the court his wife's name is Kausar, his eldest daughter Sara is 35 years old, while his 33-year-old son Muhammad Ali never participated in the investigation process. He also said his slain daughter Noor was 27 years old.

On the question of the nature of the relationship between Noor and Zahir, Sikandar asked if it was possible to have such a relationship in Pakistan. The lawyer also asked the petitioner not to get angry on the question as he had been an ambassador of the country.

At this Mukadam said he never stopped Noor from visiting Zahir's home as they were studying in the same university.

Lawyer for Zahir's mother, Asad Jamal, intervened, raised objection on the question and requested the court to drop it, saying it was not an appropriate question.

The defendant's lawyer noted the two people were in a relationship for a long time and that Mukadam was answering the question so let the victim's father respond.

Advocate Shah Khawar, the petitioner's lawyer, and lawyer Babar Hayat also raised objections on the question, saying no question could be asked on scandals under testimony law's Section 146.

At this Judge Rabbani asked the defendant's lawyer to drop the question.

During the hearing, Mukadam told the court he was not aware that Zahir was deported from London as the victim and the accused were not class fellows. He further added the police continued searching Zahir's house during his presence.

Later the court adjourned hearing of the case till January 20.