NIA gives list of 600 witnesses for examination

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday submitted a list of nearly 600 witnesses, which are to be examined by the special court while conducting trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The special court is likely to shortlist the names of prosecution witnesses by next Monday.

Special Public Prosecutor Avinash Rasal submitted the list along with some other relevant documents to special Judge VS Padalkar.

“The list consists of nearly 600 witnesses of which around 450 are the ones cited in the charge sheet filed by Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS). The remaining witnesses are the ones whose statements were recorded by the NIA,” Rasal said.

The list consists of the names of 101 persons who had sustained either severe or minor injuries during the blast that took place on 29 September, 2008 in Malegaon, Nashik.

“We have also annexed the medical certificates of these injured witnesses. There are also several panch witnesses in the list,’ Rasal said.

Now, the special judge is likely to take up the matter for further hearing on next Monday and shortlist the names for examination in the case. After this technical process, the court will finally start the trial and commence examining witnesses in the case.

The list consists of nearly 600 witnesses of which around 450 are the ones cited in the charge sheet filed by Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS). The remaining witnesses are the ones whose statements were recorded by the NIA — AVINASH RASAL, Public Prosecutor