Map seized from Faheem showed bungalow of HC CJ: Nikam to HC

This assumes significance as prosecution has alleged that Faheem had drawn maps of important Mumbai locations and had passed them on to LeT which in turn had given to the 26/11 attackers. One such map, drawn in Faheem's hand, was found from the pocket of slain Pakistani terrorist Abu Ismael.

Ten maps of Mumbai sites were seized from Faheem by Uttar Pradesh Police after his arrest on February 10, 2008, in connection with a bomb attack on CRPF jawans in Rampur.

These maps were shown to the court today and one of them showed the bungalow of Bombay High Court Chief Justice located in Malabar Hill, south Mumbai.

The other locations include the offices of Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police.

The court examined the maps which prosecution alleged had been drawn by Faheem. Nikam also produced a report of an handwriting expert from UP to support the prosecution claim that the maps were in Faheem's hand.

Nikam argued that Faheem and Sabauddin Ahmed, both acquitted by the trial court earlier this year, had facilitated the commission of the November 2008 terror attacks by drawing maps of targets and passing them over to LeT.

Nikam told the court that LeT leaders Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Kafa had asked Faheem and Sabauddin to prepare maps of Mumbai sites, which would be attacked. Accordingly, they made the maps and handed over to them.

In February 2008, much prior to the attacks, Nuruddin Shaikh, a friend of Faheem, met the latter in Nepal. In Kathmandu, Faheem introduced Nuruddin to Sabauddin, who asked Faheem whether he had finished the work assigned by Kafa. In reply, Faheem handed over maps to Sabauddin, Nikam said.

However, the trial court had disbelieved the version of Nuruddin on the ground that no corroborative evidence was produced by the prosecution. The trial court had also observed that Nuruddin had gone to Nepal to stay with his friend Bharat Thakur. But prosecution had not examined Thakur.

Nikam argued that Nuruddin was an independent witness and his friendship with Faheem had not been challenged in the cross examination by the defence. There was no need to produce corroborative evidence and Nuruddin's version can stand on its own, the government counsel submitted.

The high court is currently hearing an appeal filed by Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab against death penalty awarded to him for his role in 26/11 attacks and also arguments on confirmation of his sentence. Simultaneously, it is hearing an appeal filed by the prosecution challenging the acquittal of Faheem and Sabauddin.