The prosecutors in the Mumbai terror attacks case on Monday filed an application seeking non-bailable arrest warrants (NBWs) against all the 35 accused in the 26/11 case, most of whom are believed to be in Pakistan.
Besides Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab and two Lashkar-e-Tayiba activists Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Mohammed, who have been arrested, the names of the 35 other accused figure in the 11,500-page charge sheet filed by Mumbai Police in the case.
Making a strong plea, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that the police have gathered solid evidence against all the 35 accused-absconders in the 26/11 case to merit issuance of NBWs.
Special Judge ML Tahilyani has reserved his orders in the matter till Wednesday.
Later, Nikam told mediapersons that since all the arguments prior to framing the charges were completed Monday, he plans to file the charges against all the accused from Wednesday (May 6).
Nikam said among the serious charges against all the accused is the one pertaining to "waging a war on India" which was opposed by the defence lawyers.
Kasab's lawyer SG Abbas Kazmi argued that this charge was not applicable to the accused and he would contest it later.
{{/usCountry}}Kasab's lawyer SG Abbas Kazmi argued that this charge was not applicable to the accused and he would contest it later.
{{/usCountry}}"First, let the prosecution file the charges against the accused, then we shall respond," he remarked, when asked whether he would seek discharge for his client from the charge of "waging a war against India."
Nikam also said that the prosecution will send the certified copies of Kasab's confession and other relevant documents to Pakistan.
"This will enable them to take up cases against the persons they have arrested in connection with the Mumbai 26/11 case," he explained.
The matter will come up for hearing on Wednesday in the special court.