“Court has passed an order prohibiting the media from printing or airing any stories on the evidence and the witnesses of the 26/11 case. Revealing such crucial evidence will jeopardize the interest of prosecution,” said Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.
The Crime Branch moved an application under Section 44 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act seeking an umbrella ban on revealing the identity of witnesses and publishing evidence, under the pretext that it endangers the lives of the witnesses.
Special Judge M L Tahilyani, looking in to the case, passed an order claiming that the prosecution’s claim was of a serious nature and no evidence should be published before it is tendered before the court. The case is next scheduled for hearing on March 23, when the trial will be conducted through video conferencing before it is assigned to the special court at Arthur Road Jail where lone arrested terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and Fahim Ahmed Ansari and his aide Sabahuddin Ahmed will be tried.
Security upsets neighbourhood
The unprecedented security cover given to Kasab has rankled residents around the Arthur Road Jail.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA and the party’s Mumbai unit chief Sachin Ahir, who raised the matter in the Assembly on Wednesday, said a security cover involving the Indo Tibetan Border Police has been provided for Kasab. The security net had almost sealed the area and was causing problems to residents of slums, chawls, BMC buildings and hospitals in the vicinity.
Ahir said though it is necessary to provide such security to Kasab, the arrangements were causing inconvenience to around 40,000 to 50,000 residents. He said, “Washermen from the dhobhi ghat are having their load of clothes checked by the security apparatus, and there are curbs on vehicles entering the area. There was talk of identity cards being given to residents of slums in the vicinity though it is yet to materialise. Guests coming to the area are also facing hardships.”
He urged the government to intervene in the issue as people are already holding meetings and talking of launching an agitation, which in turn, can create law and order problems.
Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar asked why the people are being subjected to inconvenience and Minister of State for Home Dr Nitin Raut said the government will make a statement in the house on the issue on Thursday.
Senior police inspector Vasant Tajne of N M Joshi Marg said, “Yes, we have been conducting routine checks. This is a routine process and it is better to keep a tab on everyone against the background of the terror attacks.”
Udhay Thakhur, a shop owner, said, “the police have been taking basic details from us. They asked me to provide the details of my workers also. All this is due to the terrorist inside the prison. Earlier also, there were terrorists but this practice is new, but we will cooperate with them as we have nothing to hide.”
Once the 26/11 Mumbai attack trial begins inside Arthur Road jail, Jivraj Ramji Boricha Marg, which is the only road through which vehicles can enter the area, will be closed for security reasons. Police sources said identity cards will be given to residents to take their vehicles inside. Even now, there is a heavy police deployment outside the jail premises.