26/11 trial: Prosecution submits 2 new affidavits

Mumbai, Apr 28: Just days before the final verdict on 26/11 trial, the prosecution has submitted fresh evidences in form of affidavits of two witnesses and a post-mortem report of a slain terrorist.

The affidavits concern two witnesses, one of whom carried the bodies two slain Pakistani gunman and the other is an eyewitness to the killing of a civilian and a police constable by terrorists at Metro junction on Nov 26, 2008.

The Court has accepted the document. The verdict on the trial against Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone serving Pakistani terrorists and two Indians Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed is expected to be delivered on May 3.

The prosecution contended that these witnesses were not orally examined as they were formal character and due to which they affidavits were filed to put certain facts on record.

This is the second instance when the prosecution has tabled evidence after the closing of the case and after the recroding of statements of the accused has been concluded by the court.

According to legal sources, under normal circumstances the court does not accept evidence after closing the case. But it is likely to accept such evidence if it cannot be overlooked.

The first affidavit was confirmed by Assistant Police Inspector Ashok Khedkar, who had carried the bodies two victims near Metro Cinema on the night of terror attacks.

The second affidavits was affirmed by Hanumant Bhandalkar, Police sub-inspector at Colaba, who had collected biological samples preserved by doctors of JJ hospital after post mortem of slain terrorists were conducted.

The post mortem report revealed the cause of death of the terrorist, who was shot by security forces at Taj Mahal hotel, as haemorrhage and shock owing to firearm injuries including burns.

Earlier, the prosecution submitted 357 affidavits of such formal witnesses in the court without examining it orally as it would delay the disposal of the case.

OneIndia News