Trial of LeT operatives linked to Mumbai attacks adjourned

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Jul 4 (PTI) The trial in a Pakistani
anti-terror court of five Lashker-e-Toiba operatives accused
of involvement in the Mumbai attacks was Saturday adjourned
till July 18 without any proceedings.

The case, being heard by an anti-terror court in
Rawalpindi, was adjourned for a fortnight due to the
non-availability of a judge, sources said.

There has been no movement in the case since May 23 as
Justice Sakhi Muhammad Kahut, the judge of anti-terror court
number 2 who was hearing the matter, was removed as part of
judicial reforms.

Subsequently, the Federal Investigation Agency
approached Justice Muhammad Akram Awan, the judge in
anti-terror court number 1, to take up the case and he
repeatedly adjourned the matter. Awan was on leave Saturday
due to personal reasons, the sources said.

The sources also said Baqir Ali Rana had been
appointed as the new judge for anti-terror court number 2 and
is expected to assume office on Monday. He is expected to hear
the case against the five LeT operatives as well as several
other cases related to high-profile terrorist attacks.

Authorities have framed charges against the five LeT
operatives – Zaikur Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Abu al Qama,
Shahid Jamil Riaz and Hamad Amin Sadiq – under the
Anti-Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and a cyber crimes
law.

On May 5, the court distributed copies of the
chargesheet among the suspects. They are expected to be
formally indicted at the next hearing.

The trial of the five LeT members is being held inside
the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi due to security
reasons. PTI