Media barred from 7/11 trial

Media was barred from entering the courtroom as the July 11, 2006, Mumbai train blasts trial opened on Tuesday.

The area around the courtroom turned into a fortress after the accused persons were brought to court. Police barricaded all the entrances to the fifth floor of the sessions court, where judge Y D Shinde's Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court is located. The riot police was also present.

The trail was adjourned till Wednesday as the defence sought for more time. “Five witnesses were present, but the defence was not ready,” prosecution lawyer Raja Thackeray told

The Hindu over the telephone.