Witnesses come forward to identify November 26 terror strikes

Mumbai, Dec 26 (PTI) Thirty five persons who had seen Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman, the lone terrorist captured alive, during November 26 terror strikes on India's financial capital Mumbai will identify him in a formal identification parade to be held at Arthur Road jail here soon.

"We have identified about 35 eyewitnesses. They have
agreed to participate in the identification parade of Ajmal,
who along with nine others created mayhem in the city for over
60 hours. The number of witnesses may go up," a crime branch
officer involved in the investigation told PTI.

On Wednesday, Ajmal was remanded to police custody till
January 6 by a Metropolitan Magistrate Court. "After January
6, we plan to seek judicial custody of Ajmal for some days.
Once Ajmal is taken to Arthur Road jail, identification parade
would be conducted there," the officer added.

The parade would be conducted through a reflective
glass, which allows only a one-way view, police sources said.

Arun Jadhav, constable, who pretended to be dead in the
police jeep which was used by terrorists to escape from Cama
hospital in south Mumbai, after killing three top police
officials, will be among the witnesses.

The terrorists had later robbed a Skoda car near
Mantralaya threatening its owner S R Arasa, who is also one of
the witnesses, the official said.

Ajmal and Ismail Khan fled in the Skoda car, but were
confronted by policemen at Girgaum Chowpatty. While Khan was
shot dead by the police, Ajmal was caught alive.

"Ajmal will be lodged in the secluded 'anda' cell. CCTVs
will be installed to keep a watch on him," sources said.

Police are also worried about the safety of Ajmal as
gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli and D K Rao, a close
aide of Chhota Rajan are also in the Arthur Road Jail. PTI VM
SAK