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This is an archive article published on July 9, 2015

Conduct Abu Jundal trial through video, threat to his life: NIA to Delhi court

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has requested a Delhi court to conduct the trial against suspected LeT operative Abu Jundal through video-conferencing as the Maharashtra government apprehends that he could be killed or abducted by rivals during his transit from jail to the Delhi court. The NIA moved an application before District Judge Amar Nath, stating […]

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has requested a Delhi court to conduct the trial against suspected LeT operative Abu Jundal through video-conferencing as the Maharashtra government apprehends that he could be killed or abducted by rivals during his transit from jail to the Delhi court.

The NIA moved an application before District Judge Amar Nath, stating that Jundal alias Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari, who is currently lodged in Arthur Road jail in Mumbai, could not be produced before the Delhi court on several occasions despite issuance of production warrant against him and that the trial should be expedited through video conferencing. The court has now issued a notice to Jundal’s counsel M S Khan on NIA’s plea.

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Referring to a resolution passed by Maharashtra government in May 2013, the NIA said it “exclude the personal appearance of the accused Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari… after taking into consideration request of Mumbai Police Commissioner to exclude the above-mentioned accused person from personal appearance before court in various cases registered against him due to possibility of assassination bid on his life by rival group or a bid to kidnap”. It added that the resolution was challenged before Bombay High Court, which was dismissed.

The Delhi court is scheduled to hear arguments on charges in the case in which NIA has chargesheeted Jundal for allegedly attempting to recruit men for Lashkar-e-Toiba, and conspiring to carry out terror activities in India.

Meanwhile, Mehmood Pracha, Jundal’s lawyer in 26/11 Mumbai attack trial, told The Indian Express that the Maharashtra Police does not want him to be accessed by anyone outside because they fear that he will spill the beans on them. This is why they have kept him in solitary confinement. “They are trying to mislead the court by creating this false story of threat…,” he said.

As City Editor ( Delhi) at the Indian Express, Kaunain Sheriff  leads city reporting with a sharp focus on accountability journalism, data-driven stories, and ground-level impact. As the National Health Editor he leads the newsroom’s in-depth coverage of pressing health issues. He is the author of Johnson & Johnson Files: The Indian Secrets of a Global Giant, a definitive investigation into the accountability of one of the world’s most powerful pharmaceutical corporations. Areas of Expertise Investigative Reporting: Has deep expertise in investigative reporting spanning public health, regulatory affairs, drug safety, and the criminal justice system. His work sits at the intersection of governance, law, and accountability, with a particular focus on how regulatory failures, institutional lapses, and policy decisions affect citizens’ rights and safety. Data Journalism: Has extensively on big data–driven investigations, including analyses of flagship government schemes and large datasets on criminal trials, uncovering systemic gaps. Global Collaborations Kaunain is a key contributor to major international journalistic projects: The Implant Files: Collaborated with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to expose global malpractices in the medical device industry. Chinese Big-Data Investigation: Uncovered how a foreign data firm monitored thousands of prominent Indian institutions and individuals in real-time. Awards & Recognition His commitment to "Journalism of Courage" has been recognized with the industry's highest honors: Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism SOPA Award (Society of Publishers in Asia) Red Ink Award (Mumbai Press Club) Indian Express Excellence Awards (Triple recipient for investigations into the NSA abuse in UP, Vyapam scam, and the anti-Sikh riots). Education: Studied Mechanical Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Bangalore, before moving to Delhi to pursue his passion for journalism. His engineering training informs his analytical approach, enabling him to decode technical, legal, and data-heavy systems with precision. Social media LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/kaunain-sheriff-3a00ab99 X ( fromerly Twitter): @kaunain_s ... Read More

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