Mumbai 13/7 Triple Blast Case: Special MCOCA Court Allows Affidavit-Based Evidence For Formal Witnesses To Expedite Trial
Mumbai, October 14, 2026: With a view to expediting the trial in the 13/7 serial blasts case, the special MCOCA court has allowed the prosecution to tender the evidence of formal witnesses in affidavit format, while retaining the accused's right to cross-examine them. This would save the court's time in recording their examination-in-chief. Prosecution Seeks Faster Examination Of Witnesses…
Mumbai, October 14, 2026: In an effort to speed up the 13/7 triple blast trial, the special MCOCA court has permitted the prosecution to present evidence from formal witnesses via affidavit. Nonetheless, the accused retains the right to cross-examine these witnesses. This change aims to streamline the trial process, allowing the court to focus on critical interviews.
The Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Missar requested this alteration, citing the Supreme Court's directive for swift proceedings. The affidavit format would be employed for witnesses such as chemical analyzers, photographers, and numerous police officers involved in the investigation. However, the defense challenged this blanket permission, arguing that not all witnesses could be categorized as formal witnesses, and they feared losing the opportunity to gauge the demeanor of these witnesses during face-to-face examination.
The court assured that the accused's rights would not be compromised, as the permission would be restricted to evidence of a formal nature. The court deemed this measure necessary to expedite the trial, given the numerous witnesses already examined, those yet to be called, and the High Court's mandate for swift resolution.
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