The trial of seven Pakistani suspects, charged with involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks, was on Saturday adjourned for a fortnight after the prosecution sought more time to withdraw a petition filed in a higher court to declare Ajmal Kasab and Fahim Ansari as fugitives.
Prosecution lawyers informed Judge Rana Nisar Ahmed of the Rawalpindi—based court that they needed more time to withdraw the petition as it was yet to be listed by the Lahore High Court.
The judge accepted the request and adjourned the case till January 22.
Seven suspects, including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, have been charged with planning, facilitating and financing the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Legal experts have contended that the issue of the petition in the Lahore High Court must be settled before proceedings in the anti—terrorism court can move forward.
In another development, defence lawyer Shahbaz Rajput today submitted testimonials on the authenticity of his law degree in response to allegations by prosecutors that he possessed a fake degree and should be barred from appearing in court.
At the last hearing, the prosecution team produced a FIR filed against Mr. Rajput by officials of the Rawalpindi Bar Association that alleged he possessed a fake law degree.
Mr. Rajput told PTI that he had submitted documents and testimonials on the authenticity of his degree.
He had earlier described the prosecution’s move as a bid to “pressurise” him to stop acting as counsel for the suspects accused of involvement in the Mumbai attacks.
