Mumbai:
A special court has rejected the plea of prime accused in Mumbai terror attack case, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, for Urdu translation of the 11,000-page chargesheet, but granted time till May 2 to his lawyer to argue on charges proposed by prosecution against the accused.
In another development, the court allowed accused Sabauddin Ahmed to examine Union Minister A R Antulay and Maharashtra Minister Narayan Rane as defence witness.
After the terror attacks, while Antulay had raised doubts about the killing of Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare who headed the Malegaon blast probe which revealed the alleged role of right-wing Hindu activists, Rane had stated that some state politicians had provided help to terrorists in 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Sabauddin's lawyer Ejaz Naqvi said the statements made by the ministers may have a bearing on the trial and the court said he may examine them as defence witnesses during trial.
Normally, prosecution examines witnesses to prove their case but the accused also has a right to examine witnesses in his defence if he so chooses, say legal experts.
Earlier, the court disagreed with lawyer Abbas Kazmi that Qasab needs to understand chargesheet to prepare his defence.
"All instructions of accused are not based only on the chargesheet which is mainly for the understanding of lawyers".
"The court has to consider whether any prejudice would be caused to accused if Urdu translation was not provided. I am of the opinion that no prejudice would be caused to him if chargesheet in Urdu is not given," the judge noted.
In another development, the court allowed accused Sabauddin Ahmed to examine Union Minister A R Antulay and Maharashtra Minister Narayan Rane as defence witness.
After the terror attacks, while Antulay had raised doubts about the killing of Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare who headed the Malegaon blast probe which revealed the alleged role of right-wing Hindu activists, Rane had stated that some state politicians had provided help to terrorists in 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Sabauddin's lawyer Ejaz Naqvi said the statements made by the ministers may have a bearing on the trial and the court said he may examine them as defence witnesses during trial.
Normally, prosecution examines witnesses to prove their case but the accused also has a right to examine witnesses in his defence if he so chooses, say legal experts.
Earlier, the court disagreed with lawyer Abbas Kazmi that Qasab needs to understand chargesheet to prepare his defence.
"All instructions of accused are not based only on the chargesheet which is mainly for the understanding of lawyers".
"The court has to consider whether any prejudice would be caused to accused if Urdu translation was not provided. I am of the opinion that no prejudice would be caused to him if chargesheet in Urdu is not given," the judge noted.
