The Hindu : National : Best Bakery case: witness admits giving false testimony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004

National

National

Best Bakery case: witness admits giving false testimony

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, NOV. 2. Raees Pathan, the second eyewitness who testified to the Best Bakery carnage, today admitted giving a false statement in court, after he was questioned by defence counsel D.S. Jambaulikar.

During the cross-examination at the re-trial of the Best Bakery case, Pathan told the court he had gone back to his native village in Rae Bareilly after the incident on March 1, 2002 and he had never left the place. However, Mr. Jambaulikar asked him if he was working in Ulhasnagar (near Mumbai), in a country liquor bar for some months in the recent past. Pathan admitted to this and said he had, in fact, been working in the bar for several months, before quitting and going back to his village a month ago.

When the Additional Sessions Judge, Abhay Thipsay, pointed out that earlier he had denied leaving his village, and asked him why he lied, Pathan said he was not thinking clearly and he had in fact, not told the truth. He also said that no relative of his was staying with him at Ulhasnagar but later on, after the defence asked him questions, he said his brother was staying there for a few months. He also admitted that his earlier statement was false.

No summons received

Pathan was then asked how he came to Mumbai for the trial and if he had received any summons. He said he had not received any document. He did not remember when he came to Mumbai but said it was about 15 days ago. He was accompanied by one Rahimbhai, with whom he is now staying, and his father. He was told about the case from Rahim who had read about it in the newspaper. He also did not know about the trial of the case in Baroda.

"The question of giving evidence in Baroda does not arise as I did not know about the trial," he said.

He had come to know of the date of the trial through Teesta Setalvad who was introduced to him by Rahim, he said. "It is correct that if Teesta madam did not help me, I would not be able to reach the court," he told the court. He said he had met her in her office several times.

Not correct

"Nobody told me what to say. It is not correct that Teesta madam explained the case to me, " he said in reply to defence counsel's questions. The defence also pointed out several contradictions in his recorded statement and testimony in court. Pathan's cross-examination will be completed tomorrow when more eyewitnesses are expected to testify.

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