26/11: India seeks clarification on Pakistan proposal

India’s foreign ministry has sought clarification from Pakistan on the modus operandi of a Judicial Commission which Pakistan proposed to send to India in connection with the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.

In response to a question on Pakistan?s proposal for sending a Judicial Commission in connection with the Mumbai terrorist attack trial, the Official Spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said, “India has sought clarifications from the Pakistan side on, inter alia, the law under which the Commission will be constituted, its composition, the nature, scope and modus operandi of the work of the Commission.”

India said “Pakistan has made a general proposal for sending a Judicial Commission to verify the statements of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and the Chief Investigating Officer, who had recorded Ajmal Kasab?s confessional statement, and the Para-medical staff, who performed the post mortem of the dead bodies”.

Pakistan has requested for the views of the Government of India on receiving and facilitating a Judicial Commission for recording the relevant evidence.

India said a confirmation has also been sought that the Commission would only record the statements of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and Investigating Officer and that no cross-examination would take place

Once Pakistan has responded to these relevant questions, the government would be a in a position to take a decision on the proposal, the external affairs ministry said.

Lone surviving Pakistani terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Ajmal Amir Kasab, has been pronounced death sentence in the case but he has appealed against the same.

The Bombay High Court on Monday began hearing through video conferencing the appeal by Kasab against his death sentence.

At least 166 people were killed in the Mumbai attacks launched by Pakistani terrorists in Nov 2008, which came to be known as 26/11.