'Chargesheet against LeT men in 26/11 case'

Mumbai, Feb 15: Sources say that Mumbai Police have reportedly sought permission from the Union government to prosecute the top Laskhar-e-Toiba commanders and are finalising a chargehseet in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case against them.

Sources suggest that 17 Lashkar terrorists will be named in the chargesheet including founders Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and Yosuf Muzzamil. Centre's permission is needed since the accused are foreign nationals. Meanwhile the police custody of Azam Amir Kasav aka Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman, the only terrorist caught alive is extended till Feb 26.

Kasav is currently booked in 12 cases registered across Mumbai. However, Mumbai Police have decided to club together all the 12 cases registered on the intervening night of Nov 26 and Nov 27. Meanwhile the Mumbai High Court have issued a notification directing the immediate setting up of a special court in Arthur Road Jail premises to conduct trail against Kasav.

This notification came after Rakesh Maria, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) requested for setting up special court citing security reasons. According to sources, the letter sent by Maria said that since the case is 'sensitive' and considering intelligence inputs received regarding threat to Kasab from the underworld, the trial cannot be conducted in a regular court.

According to sources, the letter sent by Maria said that since the case is 'sensitive' and considering intelligence inputs received regarding threat to Kasav from the underworld, the trial cannot be conducted in a regular court. The special TADA court in the Arthur Road jail premises, which is presently conducting the trial against extradited gangster Abu Salem, will be shifted to the Sessions Court in south Mumbai, the notification states.

If LeT mens' names figure, they will be against column two of the chargesheet (those who could not be brought for trial) which will enable the police to seek a non-bailable warrant against them and subsequently an Interpol Red Corner Notice.

The Indo-Pak relation witnessed strain after the 26/11 attacks and India had asked Pakistan to handover the suspects belonging to LeT to it for questioning in the case.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)