The NIA court in Panchkula has again deferred hearing in the Samjhauta Express blast case, scheduling it for March 20. On Monday, both sides argued on the application moved by Pakistan national Rahila, who had requested to depose an eyewitness in the case.
During Monday's arguments, Rahila's counsel Momin Malik urged the court to accept her application, saying she had lost her father in the blast and had additional evidence pertaining to the case.
Pooja Nagar, who is also working on Rahila's case, told DNA that they have filed another application under Section 311 seeking a certified copy of the FIR. She said Rahila's uncle was also present in court on Monday to plead for her request. The NIA, meanwhile, said they had a complete list of witnesses from Pakistan and Rahila's name didn't feature on it.
The probe agency said it had repeatedly sent summons to the Pakistan High Commission, but no witness ever turned up. Meanwhile, another witness has also approached Malik, seeking to record his statement in court. The witness, a Pakistani minor boy who lost his limbs in the blast, told the lawyer that he had seen the accused on the day of the blast and can also recognise him. Nagar refused to divulge details of the victim, but said he is keen to appear in court.
Grusome Blast
The Samjhauta Express train was attacked on February 18, 2007, killing 68 persons, most of them Pakistan nationals. Over 290 witnesses were listed during trial in the case.
