26/11 accused to examine NIA chief, Rahul Bhatt as defence witnesses

An accused in the 26/11 terror attack case today sought permission from the trial court to examine NIA chief SC Sinha, Gujarat DGP SS Khandwawala, Rahul Bhatt--son of film maker Mahesh Bhatt, and Fitness Instructor Vilas Warak as defence witnesses.

The accused Sabahuddin Ahmed's lawyer Ejaz Naqvi told the court that he wants to examine these four witness to establish that terror suspect David Headley had conducted the recce of Mumbai before the 26/11 attack and not Sabahuddin as alleged by the prosecution.

"David Headley was staying at Malabar Hill in Mumbai and had conducted recce of the entire city and had passed on information to the 26/11 perpetrators. Then what is the need for Sabahuddin to prepare the sketches?" Naqvi asked. 

He further argued that according to the investigation agencies, Headley had also conducted recce of the Osho ashram in Pune near which a blast took place on February 13. 

Asked by special judge M L Tahiliyani as to what evidence Rahul Bhatt and Vilas Warak can give, Naqvi said the duo were close friends of Headley and had visited several places in the city with him.