Pak court says findings of 26/11 commission that visited India are illegal

[Sarkar]

The Pakistani court that's trying suspects accused of masterminding and executing the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai has said that the findings of a commission that visited India are illegal. The seven suspects on trial include Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who is a senior commander of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba that is responsible for 26/11. In 2008, 166 people were killed in the terror attacks in Mumbai. The court has ruled that the commission's report cannot be included as evidence against those accused of a role in 26/11. The commission, which has eight members, travelled to Mumbai in March. It was not allowed by India to cross-examine key witnesses including Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during 26/11. The commission recorded the statements of the magistrate who documented Kasab's confession, as also some doctors who conducted autopsies of the victims and the nine terrorists who were shot during the attacks. Defence lawyers had told the court handling the trial at a Rawalpindi jail that without cross-examination, the commission's exercise was futile. The court has said that a new commission should visit India if the Indian government allows key witnesses to be cross-examined. India has said that Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during 26/11, cannot meet or be questioned by Pakistani officials. India has repeatedly urged Pakistan to speed up what has so far been a lethargic and ineffective trial of the people India holds responsible for its worst-ever terror attacks. Chief prosecutor Chaudhry Zulifqar Ali had earlier told the court that another commission could be sent to India after ensuring that it would be allowed to cross-examine witnesses. In response to this, Judge Rehman today observed that if India and Pakistan could reach some new agreement that would allow the cross-examination of witnesses, the prosecution could move an application to send another commission to Mumbai. The judge adjourned the case till July 21. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/pak-court-says-findings-of-26-11-commission-that-visited-india-are-illegal-244188

[achilles]

:facepalm:

[chanakya]

unfortunately they do have a point.. if you are not allowed to cross examine then the testimony has no value at all.... even in video recorded testimonies cross examination is a legal right ...