FBI agents likely to depose at 26/11 trial

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam handed over a sealed envelope to Judge M L Tahiliani, during the ongoing trial into the Mumbai terror attacks case, at the special court in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail on Thursday.

Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested during the siege, and Lashkar-e-Tayiba operatives Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed are being tried in connection with the attacks.

Nikam sought Judge Tahiliani's permission to keep the identities of six Federal Bureau of Investigation agents -- who are likely to depose during the trial -- a secret.

He told the judge that the FBI had requested him to maintain secrecy. Judge Tahiliani will announce his decision on the matter on Friday.

Three Americans were killed during the siege. Under US law, the FBI must investigate the unnatural deaths of American citizens around the world. The FBI officers are likely to provide information about the taped conversations between the terrorists and their handlers in Pakistan over Voice over Internet Protocol, VOIP, during the attacks.

When Judge Tahiliani asked Nikam if he wanted in-camera proceedings during the testimony of the FBI officers, the prosecutor replied in the negative.