Mumbai Attacks' case: Pakistani panel cleared to cross-examine witnesses
An eight-member panel from Pakistan was earlier denied permission to cross-examine witnesses when it visited India.
A dossier of related documents have also been received by Ministry of Interior, Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
LAHORE:
A Pakistani judicial commission tasked with investigating the Mumbai attack case from the Pakistan side is expected to visit India in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai attack case, sources familiar with the matter have revealed to The Express Tribune.
The Indian government on Tuesday gave written consent to the Pakistani authorities associated with the case to visit India and cross-examine witnesses. A dossier of related documents has also been sent by the Indian government to the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) of the Ministry of Interior.
Earlier, an eight-member panel from Pakistan, in compliance with Anti-Terrorist Court's order, Rawalpindi had visited Mumbai in April 2012 to cross-examine four key witnesses of the case but were denied permission, in accordance with Chief Justice's verdict in the Mumbai High Court.
Upon their return, panel members, particularly Khwaja Haris, counsel of alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi raised an objection against the Mumbai court proceedings saying that the orders of the Anti-Terrorism Court were not complied with in letter and spirit.
Anti Terrorism Court on July 17, 2012 had pronounced that all the findings of a judicial commission that visited India were illegal and could not be made part of the evidence.
It was when a three-member commission from India comprising of Additional Secretary and Chief Prosecutor General of the Mumbai attacks’ case visited Pakistan in December, 2012 that it was agreed that the Pakistani panel will be allowed to cross-examine witnesses.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian home ministry sent Pakistani authorities copies of the Bombay high court order and statements of the witnesses, the Times of India reported.
A Pakistani judicial commission tasked with investigating the Mumbai attack case from the Pakistan side is expected to visit India in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai attack case, sources familiar with the matter have revealed to The Express Tribune.
The Indian government on Tuesday gave written consent to the Pakistani authorities associated with the case to visit India and cross-examine witnesses. A dossier of related documents has also been sent by the Indian government to the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) of the Ministry of Interior.
Earlier, an eight-member panel from Pakistan, in compliance with Anti-Terrorist Court's order, Rawalpindi had visited Mumbai in April 2012 to cross-examine four key witnesses of the case but were denied permission, in accordance with Chief Justice's verdict in the Mumbai High Court.
Upon their return, panel members, particularly Khwaja Haris, counsel of alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi raised an objection against the Mumbai court proceedings saying that the orders of the Anti-Terrorism Court were not complied with in letter and spirit.
Anti Terrorism Court on July 17, 2012 had pronounced that all the findings of a judicial commission that visited India were illegal and could not be made part of the evidence.
It was when a three-member commission from India comprising of Additional Secretary and Chief Prosecutor General of the Mumbai attacks’ case visited Pakistan in December, 2012 that it was agreed that the Pakistani panel will be allowed to cross-examine witnesses.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian home ministry sent Pakistani authorities copies of the Bombay high court order and statements of the witnesses, the Times of India reported.