Deposition of NSG men to be delayed

Depositions of the National Security Guards (NSG) personnel in the 26/11 trial will be delayed, reports HT Correspondent.

Depositions of the National Security Guards (NSG) personnel in the 26/11 trial will be delayed.

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The special court has already issued summons to Lt. Colonel R.K. Sharma of the NSG to be present on November 9. Arranging for video conferencing facilities for the deposition, as suggested by the Centre and ordered by the high court, will take time and will delay his testimony.

Special Judge ML Taheliyani, on Friday, said he would decide the next date for recording the commandos’ testimonies.

Three NSG commandos will testify in the 26/11 trial according to the Centre’s guidelines. The Bombay High Court accepted most suggestions made by the Centre regarding the deposition.

The division bench of Justice J.N. Patel and Justice Amjad Sayed has ordered that the testimony of the commandos will be recorded through videoconferencing, in camera. Only the judge, special prosecutor, defence lawyers and the accused will be present during the testimony.

The high court, however, did not accept the central government’s suggestion to allow two of these commandos to file affidavits for the material they collected from the spot and handed over to the Colaba police station instead of actual deposition. “Let them too depose by video conferencing,” Justice Patel said.

The commandos will not be cross examined or questioned about the methods, techniques, weapons or equipment, operations, communications, manner of combating terrorists and training of the NSG.

The special judge will have to pass an order if the testimony of any other commando is required and take prior permission from the high court if any other commando needs to be summoned.