Noor Mukaddam case: CCTV now primary evidence, rules Pakistan top court

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ruled that CCTV footage and other forms of digital evidence can serve as primary, standalone proof in criminal cases—even without eyewitness testimony—marking a landmark shift in the country’s legal framework.

In a detailed 13-page verdict issued Thursday, the apex court upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer for the 2021 murder of Noor Mukaddam, declaring the crime “gruesome” and “undeniably proven” through digital and forensic evidence.

The judgment explicitly declared that authenticated digital material—including CCTV, DNA, and electronic records—no longer needs corroboration from human witnesses to be admissible as direct evidence.

“This kind of material, if proven to be authentic, can now be considered primary evidence,” the court wrote, calling CCTV a “silent witness” that can reliably document events.

The apex court upheld the death sentence for Jaffer converting his capital punishment for rape into life imprisonment.

“Digital evidence has now assumed a crucial role in the courts of law… such evidence is now considered primary evidence, not requiring corroboration if it meets authenticity standards,” the judgment noted.

Silent Witness Doctrine gains ground

Referring to legal precedents including the Ahmad Omar Sheikh case, the court elaborated that CCTV footage recorded without human interference and confirmed by forensic experts is admissible as direct evidence.

In this case, Jaffer was seen physically assaulting Noor, and the footage, retrieved from a DVR and hard disk, was found to be unedited, with facial recognition positively identifying the accused.

The court emphasized that even in the absence of an eyewitness, the forensic-verified digital evidence clearly linked the accused to the crime scene.

Additionally, DNA tests confirmed Noor had been sexually assaulted.

The murder weapon recovered from the scene has her blood.

Jaffer's convoluted defense

In his official statement during the trial, reproduced in the court record, Jaffer painted a convoluted narrative to assert his innocence.

“I am innocent. I, and the deceased were in a consensual, long-term relationship known to both our families,” Zahir claimed. He alleged Noor had come to his house on July 18, 2021, bringing drugs and insisting on a party.

Zahir claimed he was under the influence of drugs and woke up tied in his lounge, only to be told by police that Noor had been murdered.

He went on to allege that Noor’s belongings contained heavy amounts of drugs, and that a senior police officer who uncovered this was removed from his job under pressure.

He accused Noor’s family, state officials, and media of conspiring against him, saying he was “castigated by social media before any evidence was recorded.”

He also alleged that the complainant, Noor’s father, held a press conference with then-state minister Shahbaz Gill, influencing the investigation.

“The state machinery and media were fully utilized against me,” Zahir said. “My entire family has been falsely roped in.”

Court rejects defense, upholds most sentences

However, the court rejected all defenses presented by Zahir Jaffer, terming him “a desperate person evoking no sympathy.”

The apex court observed that he had failed to explain Noor’s presence at his home or the recovery of her decapitated body from there.

Two co-accused, Muhammad Iftikhar and Muhammad Jan, had their convictions upheld but were shown leniency due to time already served. The court ordered their release unless required in another case.

The petitions by Noor's family for enhancement of sentences or challenging the acquittal of other accused were dismissed.