Introduction: Ghatkopar blast case
The fate of the December 2, 2002 Ghatkopar blast trial hangs in the balance. Public prosecutor Rohini Salian told the POTA court yesterday that she wants to withdraw from the case. She asked the court to adjourn the case till the state government appoints a new prosecutor.
Salian withdrew yesterday when Dr Mateen and his advocate objected as soon as the 53rd witness stepped into the box. Mateen said his name was not in the list of witnesses provided to the accused.
Mateen’s lawyer Mubin Solkar said the witness, who had acted as pancha when Mateen was arrested, was important and the prosecution should have informed him in advance. Another defence lawyer Shahid Azmi also supported Solkar.
This angered Salian, who said, “Enough is enough. I have tolerated enough. I am withdrawing from the prosecution at this stage as you are not allowing me to conduct the trial.”
An official in the law and judiciary department said it will be difficult for another public prosecutor to study 1,200 pages of the charge sheet and prepare for the case. Moreover, Salian has been handling the case from day one.
However, Salian said she will not change her decision. “It is not possible for me to perform my duties to the best of my abilities in the given circumstances. The accused and their lawyers have no faith in me.”
Defence lawyers Shahid Azmi and
Mubin Solkar have apologised to Salian through a letter given to the court.
Judge A P Bhangale of the POTA court has also said the lawyers should settle
this issue amicably.
The case
The December 2, 2002 blast was the first in the series of bomb blasts that rocked the city in the last one-and-a-half years.
More than 50 persons were injured
and two died in the explosion that took place in a BEST bus near Ghatkopar
railway station.