Won’t let 26/11 trial drag on,vows spl public prosecutor

When it comes to dealing with complicated legal matters,the state relies heavily on its best man. He has argued important cases that either had a social impact or international ramifications,or both. Now,Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam,a man who has risen in the ranks though he hails from a small town,Jalgaon,is getting ready for a new battle — to get the accused in the most gruesome terror attacks ever witnessed by the nation convicted. He will be leading the legal battle on behalf of the state in the 26/11 terror attack case. With the Mumbai police likely to file the chargesheet in the case in a day or two,Nikam spoke to Mumbai Newsline on the impending trial.

Will this trial (like many others) take years to get over?
Of course not. The trial will be carried out in a special court on a day-to-day basis. My efforts will be to wrap it up at the earliest.

How many witnesses will be there? Any witness from other countries?
Since the police hasn’t filed the chargesheet as yet,it would be premature to say whether there would be any witnesses from outside India. But since other agencies have helped in the investigations,there would most probably be some foreigners as witnesses. In that case we would,as per the requirement of the case,take a decision on whether we would examine them or not.

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Will the foreign witnesses be examined through video-conferencing?
Maybe we can use the technology,but nothing has been finalised as of now.

What are the legal options available for arrested terrorist Kasab,since he hasn’t got a lawyer so far?
At the time of the trial,the court may give legal aid to him. But as of now,there are three lawyers who have come forward to defend Kasab. The court may take a decision on their pleas soon.