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National

India exploring options on magistrate's deposition

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: India is exploring options to meet Pakistan's request for the deposition of the magistrate who recorded the statement of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman behind the Mumbai attacks.

The decision is expected to be conveyed by the External Affairs Ministry to Pakistan shortly, sources said here on Thursday.

Pakistan had asked India to send the Mumbai's Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, R.V. Sawant Waghule, who had recorded the statement of lone 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, to appear before its anti-terror court.

It has also demanded that the IO Ramesh Mahale be sent there for deposition.

Video-conferencing?

Officials are weighing the possibility of him appearing through video-conferencing in a Pakistani court without being subjected to cross-examination, the sources said.

A petition is being moved in the Bombay High Court to allow the magistrate to appear through video-conferencing.

Pakistan's claim

Pakistan's claim that the charges against the seven Lashkar-e-Taiba activists arrested for masterminding the Mumbai attacks are based on Kasab's statement and those involved in recording that statement should appear before its anti-terror court.

India has already provided to Pakistan copies of Kasab's statement that was recorded in Hindi and Marathi in the presence of Mr. Waghule.

Subsequently, a copy in English was also sent.

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