Lahore court rejects 26/11 accused Lakhvi's plea

The Lahore High Court has rejected the Lashkar-e-Tayiba's operation chief Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi's acquittal plea sustaining the order of the trial court.

However, the court observed that Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks, could file a petition later 'at an appropriate time.'

The Anti-Terrorism Court also observed that the statement of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving Mumbai gunman, could not be produced as evidence in the court, as it was not according to the guidelines set in the Article 43 of the country's penal code.

Earlier, the special prosecutor told the court that prosecution had ample proof against Lakhvi, and the seven other under trials.

He further argued that Pakistani investigation agencies had also found Lakhvi guilty during their investigations, The Nation

reports.

It may be noted that Lakhvi had filed the petition through his lawyer Khwaja Sultan Ahmed against the dismissal of his acquittal plea by the trial court.

Seven LeT operatives, including Lakhvi, communications expert Zarar Shah, Abu al-Qama, Hamad Amin Sadiq and Shahid Jamil Riaz are being tried by the anti-terrorism court.

They have been accused of providing training, financial support, accommodation, equipment and communications gear to the 10 terrorists, who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

Two other suspects -- Jamil Ahmed and Younas Anjum Jamil -- have been accused of obtaining a SIM card of Thuraya satellite phone service from Jeddah and giving it to the attackers. Jamil is said to head JuD's activities in Multan.