Mumbai attacks: Pakistani Judicial Commission starts cross-examination

Eight-member commission includes a new special public prosecutor.

MUMBAI/NEW DEHLI: An eight-member Judicial Commission from Pakistan heard the deposition of Indian witnesses in the 26/11 terror attack case amid tight security arrangements in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The Commission came to the Magistrate court to cross-examine witnesses of the Mumbai attack, in connection with the prosecution of seven suspects held in Pakistan.

The Commission includes two officers from the Anti-Terrorism court of Pakistan, two defence witnesses and a new special public prosecutor.

The proceedings began with Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, representing the Government of India, introducing members of the Commission to the Court while emphasising the need of evidence from Indian witnesses against the attack conspirators whose trial is pending in Pakistan.

The evidence is being recorded by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, PY Ladekar.

The Indian witnesses are: City Magistrate, R V Sawant-Waghule who recorded LeT member Ajmal Kasab's confession, the chief investigating officer in 26/11 case, Ramesh Mahale and two doctors who conducted the autopsy of the Pakistani terrorists who carried out the attacks in November 2008.

This is the Commission's second visit to India. During the first visit, they had examined the same witnesses. Now, the witnesses are being cross-examined.

The permission for cross examination was denied earlier.

No certainty of Nawaz-Manmohan meeting

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is preparing to leave for the UN General Assembly session.

He will also participate in various multilateral meetings of Foreign Ministers like G-77, Commonwealth, IBSA, BRICS, SAARC, and Group of Four.

There is still no clarity in New Delhi whether the PM will meet his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif. Sources in the MEA say the government is still mulling options.