A senior product specialist of Yamaha Motor Corporation in the US told the court on Thursday that his company manufactured outboard motor (OBM), fitted in the dinghy allegedly used by the 26/11 terrorists to reach Mumbai, was purchased by a Lahore-based company in 2008.
The US citizen deposed before the court via video-conferencing facility (VCF) from the FBI office in Los Angeles, California. Three big screens were set up — one for the judge, one for the lawyers and the other for the press. Four FBI agents were present in the courtroom. Because of the 12 hour 30 minute time difference, the proceedings started early at 10.15 am.
The witness, whose name cannot be disclosed as per a court order, said that according to records of the Yamaha Motor Corporation, the OBM bearing a unique serial number was purchased by Business and Engineering Trends, Lahore, on January 20, 2008.
The court adopted a unique procedure to identify the witness. An FBI special agent present in the court identified one of his colleagues in Los Angeles (on the VCF), who in turn identified the Yamaha representative. After it, Nikam began examining the witness. Excerpts:
Nikam (N): Mr (FBI) please call Yamaha’s authorised representative on the screen. (The witness appears) Now the officer of court will administer oath.
Witness (W): All right. Yes (oath taken).
N (haltingly): Mr **, I am the public prosecutor. I am going to ask you certain questions. If you don’t understand the questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me.
W: Yes sir.
N: Good morning and good night.
(Laughter in court. The witness also smiles)
Additional sessions judge ML Tahaliyani: We have started on a lighter note. Do you see me on the screen? I am the judge and I will be recording the evidence. Mr Ujjwal Nikam is the prosecutor. Any problem?
W: No problem.
N: When did you join Yamaha Motor Corporation?
W: Approximately 21 years ago
N: What is your current designation?
W: I am the senior product specialist at the company’s head office in Cypress, California.
N: Where are the OBMs manufactured?
W: OBMs are manufactured in Japan.
N: What is the procedure for identifying OBMs manufactured by your company?
W: Every OBM has a serial number on the motor bracket. The last seven digits of the serial number are inscribed on it.
N: Yamaha OBM Sr No. 1020015 was exported to which country, on what date and to whom?
W: That particular OBM was exported to Business and Engineering Trends, Lahore, in Pakistan on January 20, 2008.
N: Can you tell me on the basis of the documents to which city was it shipped?
W: The OBM was shipped from Japan to Karachi sea port.
During cross-examination by defence lawyer Abbas Kazmi, the witness admitted that the US head office of Yamaha had no role to play in the transaction of the abovementioned OBM.
The prosecution is expected to examine an official of Nokia, who is likely to depose on the purchase of the cellphones used by the gunmen to contact their Pakistani handlers during the 26/11 attacks.
