A Pakistani anti-terror court on Thursday adjourned the proceedings against seven suspects, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, charged with involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks, till January 6 next year — even as a notice was issued to one of the defence lawyers.
Anti-terror court Judge Malik Muhammad Akram Awan, who was not present in court on Thursday due to some personal engagement, is yet to rule on four applications filed by the accused challenging their indictment and seeking their acquittal.
It is expected that the judge will give his ruling on the applications at the next hearing as he has already heard arguments by prosecution and defence lawyers.
Sources said one of the defence lawyers was issued a notice on Thursday by the office of Judge Awan regarding the lawyer’s contention that the judge had indicted the accused on the basis of charges that were framed and argued while the case was being heard by another judge.
The notice pointed out that the records of the case are sealed and the lawyer could make such a claim only if he had accessed the records.
The notice also said that if the lawyer had accessed the sealed records, he had interfered in the working of the court.