Batla House case: Cops present new evidence

New Delhi, Feb. 9: The Delhi high court on Friday allowed the police to lead additional evidence before the trial court in the 2008 Batla House encounter case in which suspected Indian Mujahedeen ( IM) terrorist Shahzad Ahmed was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Nearly five years after the suspected IM terrorist appealed in the high court against his conviction, the prosecution sought permission to bring in additional evidence to bolster its case.

A bench of Justices S. Muralidhar and I. S. Mehta allowed a Delhi police application, filed last month, "in interest of justice".

It, however, imposed conditions on the police and the trial court regarding the recording of additional evidence in the case. The prosecution was also directed not to seek any adjournment on any ground and be ready with its additional witnesses to be examined on a day- today basis before the trial court.

"The right of the appellant ( convict) to crossexamine the additional witnesses will be permitted in accordance with law," it said, noting the lower court will complete the recording of the evidence from February 19.

The bench further said that the convict's statement with regard to new evidence be recorded within one week after the conclusion of recording of additional evidence.

While asking the parties concerned to cooperate in proceedings before the trial court, the bench told the authorities to place before it the "entire transcript" of the case conducted before the trial court.