Ajmal Amir Kasab Trial: Key prosecution witness goes missing

Noorudin Sheikh, a key witness in the 26/11 attacks case who had deposed against accused Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed at the trial, was declared "missing" by the prosecution as he failed to appear before the designated court.

Sheikh told the court that Faheem and Sabauddin had met him in Nepal and in his presence they had discussed about the maps of some locations in Mumbai, which were later targeted by militants during the November 26 attacks last year.

The court had called the witness for cross-examination at 1100hrs but he failed to turn up. Special public prosecutor Ujjawal Nikam told the court that Crime Branch officials had gone to Goregaon residence of the witness to bring him to the court but his wife said Sheikh had left home early morning, saying that he has to go to the court.

"This is a serious matter," presiding Judge M L Tahliyani, observed and said he would decide later on what steps the court should take in the matter.

Sheikh in his deposition before the court yesterday claimed that he is a childhood friend of Faheem and was staying in the same locality in the city. However, Faheem had refuted this, saying that he had never met Sheikh earlier.

According to the prosecution, based on the instructions of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Faheem had drawn maps with hand after conducting a recee and these were handed over to Sabauddin, who in turn gave them to 26/11 conspirato