26/11 trial: MTNL to provide video conference facility

Preparations are underway to hold the video conference this week for deposition of the witnesses whose identities have been kept secret for security reasons, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

At least four screens would be provided in the special court which is housed in the high security Central prison located at Arthur Road in central Mumbai.

The date for holding the video conference would be fixed after consulting the witnesses who are expected to throw light on how the ten terrorists, including the lone surviving gunman Ajmal Kasab, were in touch with their handlers in Pakistan through mobile phones, Nikam said.

Two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials are also expected to appear in person for deposition as witnesses, the prosecutor said.

After the 26/11 Mumbai attack, in which 166 persons including six Americans were killed, FBI had also conducted a probe and has collected clinching evidence which would be placed before the trial court here.

FBI sleuths would tell the court how the 26/11 terror attacks were planned and executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba.

They would also throw light on where Global Positioning System was activated and how during the attacks the terrorists were in constant touch with the conspirators in Pakistan.

This is perhaps for the first time that witnesses from abroad are deposing in a terror attack case, Nikam said.

The case of the prosecution is that some terrorists had sought instructions from wanted accused based in Pakistan through voice over internet protocol (VOIP) in New Jersey, USA.

The Mumbai police had sought the services of FBI on this aspect.