Key prosecution witness recalled for further evidence

Mumbai, Jan 17 (UNI) The Special POTA court today ordered to recall a key prosecution witness, Ajmer Mohd Ali Shaikh, whose examination was completed in the twin blast cases of 2003 for further evidence.

An application to recall the key witness was moved earlier by Special Public Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam which was considered by the Special POTA judge S S Joshi.

Shaikh in his deposition before the court earlier disclosed that accused Hasan Batteriwala anotheraccused Rizwan Laduwala were distributing sweets after the twin blasts at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar.

They also offered 'Peda'(sweets) to him saying they were celebrating the successful planting of the bombs which had exploded.

Six persons have been accused in these cases in which one of the accused turned an approver. The other accused in the case are Ashrat S Ansari, Mohd Hanif Sayyed, Hassan Shaikh Batteriwala, Rizwan Ansari Laduwala and Fahmida Hanif Sayed.

Twin blasts at the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar on August 25, 2003, had claimed 54 lives and injured 70 people.

UNI