Pak judge seeks to quit 26/11 trial over LeT threat

In what could be a major setback to the high-profile 26/11 Mumbai attacks trial in Pakistan, the judge hearing the case has said he can no longer continue with the proceedings.

Judge Baqir Ali Rana on Tuesday moved an application to chief justice (CJ) Khwaja Sharif to the effect citing “unavoidable reasons”. The request is pending with the CJ and a decision is expected before the October 24 hearing of the case.

Seven suspects, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief operational commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and terror top-gun Zarar Shah, are being tried at the anti-terrorism court inside the high-security Adiala Jail of Rawalpindi. 

Rana, sources said, was under pressure from “both the sides” — the LeT as well as the lawyers — after he decided to formally charge the suspects in the absence of their lawyers on October 10. While the lawyers expressed “no confidence” in the judge, there are reports that he was threatened with dire consequences by the militant group.

Analysts say the already delayed process of justice in the case will go off track again if the judge quits. Rana was appointed the judge for the Mumbai attacks case in July after the previous judge was removed as part of judicial reforms. Before his appointment, proceedings were stalled for over a month as the court was without a judge.