Kolkata, Jan 03: The sessions judge hearing the case relating to last year's terrorist attack on the American Center here, today referred to the Calcutta High Court the petition of the West Bengal government for shifting the venue of the trial of prime accused Aftab Ansari and eight others to the jail premises, as also the objections against it.

Appearing before the judge, P L Dutta, public prosecutor Ashok Bakshi said that in view of terrorist activities in the state, it was apprehended that there might be attacks to kill Ansari during transit from jail to court. Stating that attempts might also be made by terrorists to free him, Bakshi said in the interest of safety and security of Ansari and others, it was necessary to shift the trial venue to the premises of presidency jail, where the prime accused and the others were being held.

Appearing for the defendants, Abu Bakkar Dhali and others, objected to the prosecution's plea and said if the venue was shifted the trial would not be fair and the accused would not receive natural justice. They also said that in such a case the relatives of the accused would also not be allowed to be present during the trial.

B The judge after hearing both sides referred the matter to the high court for its comment as per provisions of the CRPC. He also scheduled the date for giving evidence from January 14 to 17.

Bureau Report