Mumbai, July 16 (IANS) The trial in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is likely to be completed before Diwali in October, Special Judge M.L. Tahilyani indicated Thursday.
The judge’s hint came this afternoon when Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam sought a week’s leave for the forthcoming 10-day Ganesha festival in August-end.
At this, Tahilyani mentioned that he wanted to wrap up the trial – which began in April – well before Diwali, that is by end of September or early October.
The Ganesha festival starts from Aug 23 while Diwali is on Oct 17.
Nikam had himself indicated in the past that he wanted to complete the trial within three to six months.
Going by all available indications, the trial could end before the Maharashtra Assembly elections due in October.
The trial, in which the prime accused, Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab and two others are being tried, completed 63 days today.
Until now, 133 of the total 150 witnesses have been examined in the different cases of the 26/11 attacks filed against Kasab.