Mumbai, July 29 (IANS) The prosecution in the Mumbai terror attacks trial Wednesday sought the special court’s permission to examine three US witnesses via video-conferencing.
In an application before Special Judge M.L. Tahilyani, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that while the three American nationals would be examined through video-conferencing, two officials of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would depose in person before the court.

Last week, the special court had permitted the prosecution to summon two FBI officials to the court for recording their evidence.

Nikam had argued that the evidence of the FBI officials could unravel the conspiracy behind the attacks and prove crucial in nailing Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist who along with nine accomplices had created mayhem in Mumbai Nov 26-29, 2008.

Nikam will submit the names of the FBI officials next week and other details of when they would come to depose. Tahilyani had ruled that in view of their security, the names and addresses of the FBI officials would not be disclosed.

Defence lawyer S.G. Abbas Kazmi will detail his views in the matter before Tahilyani gives his ruling Thursday.

In a related development, Kazmi moved an application seeking the special court’s directives to bring on record Kasab’s “so-called” videographed confessional statement.

The 67-minute confession, purportedly recorded by Mumbai Police after Kasab was nabbed from Girgaum Chowpatty in south Mumbai - was telecast last week by the TV9 Mumbai television channel.

“The so-called confessional statement recorded by police has already been leaked to the media. It should have been produced in the court and should be brought on the record as it was recorded by the police when Kasab was in hospital. It should be the court’s property. I want that confession to be brought on the record,” Kazmi urged.

Nikam will file his reply to the application following which Tahilyani will give his ruling Thursday.