PAK-LD MUMBAI 2

PAK-LD MUMBAI 2
Sources also told PTI that Rana had asked to be taken off
the case as he felt he was under pressure from the government
and other quarters with regard to the trial of the seven
suspects, including five LeT operatives.

The sources said Rana was facing pressure from the
defence lawyers, who are unhappy about the trial being
conducted in-camera.
The judge felt his position had been made "vulnerable"
because of the proceedings being held behind closed doors.
The hearing on October 10 coincided with a terrorist
attack on Pakistan Army's headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Rana had then reportedly said that since the situation
outside the court was uncertain, those who wanted to leave the
premises could do so.
Once the lawyers left the courtroom, the suspects were
formally indicted by the court.
Their lawyers boycotted the subsequent hearing on October
17 to protest the court's move.
Khawaja Sultan, one of the defence lawyers, alleged that
Rana "deliberately allowed" the indictment of the suspects in
the absence of their counsel.
He claimed Rana had probably acted "on the directions of
Interior Minister Rehman Malik."
Sultan noted that Malik had said in a TV interview that
the accused would be indicted before October 10.
Malik "was interfering in the case in order to please
someone," he alleged. "We want a fair chance be given to our
clients to defend themselves." (More) PTI RHL MZ
PMR



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