The Centre on Thursday submitted a four-point guideline to impose restrictions on the deposition of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, who have been summoned to be present on November 9 by special judge M L Tahaliyani in the 26/11 trial.
The special court had summoned three commandos — Lt. Col. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Major Ravindra Prakash and Captain Anil Jakhad — to testify regarding operations carried out by them during the terror strikes last year. The Centre had moved the Bombay High Court challenging the summons on the ground that it would lead to breach of “secrecy and confidentiality”.
Though the court on Wednesday had declined to recall the special judge’s order, it agreed to restrict the examination to specific points.
On Thursday, Additional Solicitor General Darius Khambatta submitted the guidelines that state that Sharma’s evidence shall be limited to whether or not he killed any terrorist at the Oberoi Hotel. No questions should be allowed pertaining to the methods, techniques, weapons/equipment, operations, communications, manner of combating terrorists and training of the NSG, the guideline states.
The Centre has also urged for recording of evidence through video-conferencing and in-camera. The evidence of Prakash and Jakhad shall be restricted to the production and seizure of material at the Colaba police station, it states. The Centre also seeks to keep confidential the names, ranks, identifications, photographs and addresses of the commandos. And lastly, in case the special judge calls for more commandos, the special public prosecutor can approach the high court against the same.
... contd.