Our case closes on 26/11: state

The prosecution in the 26/11 case expects to wrap up its case on the anniversary of the attack.

The prosecution in the 26/11 case expects to wrap up its case on the anniversary of the attack. We are likely to complete presenting evidence by November 26,exactly a year after the attack by Ajmal Kasab and his nine dead accomplices, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

The prosecution has examined 266 witnesses so far and only six remain,all investigating officers in the 12 cases registered at various police stations. We will also submit affidavits of around 300 formal witnesses. These include some who were injured but did not see the gunmen,officers who seized articles and collected them for tests,and relatives who claimed victims bodies, he said.

Once the prosecution closes its case,the defence may exercise its right to examine the witnesses. The accused will then make statements on the evidence submitted against them,after which the verdict will follow.

The Crime Branch has filed an over-10,000-page chargesheet before the special court inside the Arthur Road prison.

One of the accused,Sabahuddin Ahmed,wanted two names added to the accused list but the court rejected the plea. Sabahuddins lawyer Ejaz Naqvi moved a plea seeking to make Mohammed Jangua and Aamir Jangua,arrested in Italy,accused in the case.

Father and son are alleged to have sent $229 to a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) facility,Callphonex in US,and the money could have been allegedly used by terrorists to communicate with their handlers in Pakistan.

Dismissing the plea,Judge M L Tahaliyani observed,How am I concerned about all this? I am only concerned about the chargesheet before me.

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Naqvi claimed that it is in the interest of justice to rely on the records of the FBI since India and the US have an evidence-sharing treaty. The police have mischievously concealed some vital evidence against the suspects.

The Crime Branch is likely to ask the court to issue a letter rogatory to the Italian court so that the Mumbai police can officially follow up the arrest of the two in Italy.

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