Ujjwal Nikam denies pressure from Centre in 26/11 trial

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has dubbed as "incorrect" reports that there was pressure from a Central minister to file 12 separate chargesheets in the 26/11 trial against Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab and two other accused.

"There was no such pressure from any quarter, and I have been quoted out of context," Nikam said.

Nikam addressed a seminar at Latur yesterday on "Terrorism and Human Rights", where he and other speakers emphasised on expeditious hearing of the trial.

The prosecutor said he told the gathering that the government had suggested the investigating agency file separate chargesheets in twelve cases against Kasab and others, so that the verdict in each of them could be delivered early.

The suggestion was made looking into the "bad experience" of filing a single chargesheet in the 1993 bomb blast cases, which took 14 years to deliver justice, he said.

"But I convinced the authorities that it would be more prudent to club all charges and file a single chargesheet in the trial. My suggestion was accepted, and there was no pressure on us," Nikam clarified.

Nikam said Kasab's trial is a landmark example of finishing trial within seven months.

Meanwhile, the court would continue to record the statement of Kasab on evidence adduced by the prosecution against him.