India has made a fresh demand to Pakistan seeking a re-investigation into the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case. It has also demanded that Jammat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed, who the Pakistan government put on house arrest in Lahore on January 30, be put on trial.
Islamabad had earlier requested New Delhi to send 24 Indian witnesses to record their statements in connection with the case, an unidentified official told PTI. “But instead of entertaining our request, India has sought a re-investigation of the case,” the official said, adding that the statements from Indian witnesses were required to conclude the inquiry.
India also wants Laskhar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi tried, the official said. Lakhvi was released on bail in the 26/11 attacks case because there was not enough substantial evidence against him, he said. “If India provides some strong evidence against Hafiz Saeed in the Mumbai case, we will try him,” the official added.
The 2008 case was not heard as scheduled on Wednesday as the anti-terrorism court in Pakistan was awaiting a reply from India, according to the PTI report. The next hearing has been scheduled for March 8.
Lakhvi, along with other militants, has been facing charges of abetment to murder, attempted murder and planning and executing the November 2008 attacks at a number of landmarks in South Mumbai, in which more than 150 people were killed. He was granted bail in the case almost two years ago.
Since Saeed’s house arrest on January 30, rallies have been held in a number of regions in Pakistan. The Pakistani government had also listed Saeed and his aide Qazi Kashif under the Anti-Terrorism Act, which essentially curtails their movement within the country.
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