New Delhi: India on Thursday agreed to let officers investigating the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks depose before a Pakistani court through video conferencing.
Pakistan's anti terror court had requested for statements from Indian investigating officers of 26/11 case who had recorded Mumbai attacker Ajmal Amir Kasab's statement. The Union Law Ministry gave the permission for Indian officials to depose before the Pakistani court on Thursday, a day before Pakistan had asked for a response by India.
The Indian Government will now approach the Bombay High Court to seek its consent if the judicial officer who recorded Kasab's statement can also testify in a Pakistani court.
Pakistan had specifically asked for Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate RV Sawant Waghule and investigating officer Ramesh Mahale. The deposition by Waghule and Mahale will help to decided charges against terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.
Pakistan has been claiming that the deposition by Indian officials is necessary because the charges against Lakhvi are based on Kasab's confessions.
India provided copies of the statement that was recorded in Hindi and Marathi in the presence of Waghule. Pakistan got translator Naseema Khatoon to translate it into English and included the relevant portions in its chargesheet.
Kasab had claimed in his confession that Lakhvi masterminded Mumbai attacks and Zarar Shah, in-charge of Lashkar-e-Toiba media wing, provided the mobile phones to the 10 Pakistani terrorists involved in 26/11 carnage.
Pakistani investigations have already corroborated and strengthened the case against Shah and others named by Kasab, the charges against Lakhvi are centered on his statement.
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