26/11 trial: Final arguments to end on Mar 31

Mumbai, Mar 31: The final argument of the 26/11 trial is likely to conclude on Wednesday, Mar 31, almost a year after the Mumbai terror attacks.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that the arguments by prosecution and defence are expected to conclude today (Wednesday, Mar 31) after which the date of verdict will be announced by Judge M L Tahaliyani.

Around 653 witnesses, including 30 eyewitnesses, were examined by the prosecution to prove that 10 jehadi terrorists from Karachi were sent by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to carry out the Mumbai terror attacks.

Four witnesses, including two National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, who headed the teams during the terrorist attacks were examined by the Court.

In his opening argument on Mar 2010, Nikam argued that there was evidence to prove the hand of Pakistan's security forces behind the terror attacks carried in Mumbai.

Nikam's argument found a strong support in American LeT Operative David Coleman Headley's diclosure of the involvement of Pakistan Army officers in plotting the Mumbai terror attacks, in his guilty plea bargain before a Chicago court.

In his 13-days argument before the trial court, Nikam filed a 675-page written submissions.

The lawyer of accused Ajmal Kasab, K P Pawar argued for 3 days, while Faheem Ansari's laywer R B Mokashi will argue on Wednesday, Mar 31. Sabauddin Ahmed's lawyer Ejaz Naqvi would argue on Thursday, Apr 1.

Nikam has appealed for conviction of the accused on various charges under IPC, including waging war against nation, along with other laws such as Foreigners Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Properties Act, Customs Act, Passport Act, Arms Act, Explosives Act, Explosives Substances Act and Bombay Police Act.

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