Mumbai: A Mumbai terror attack witness has gone missing. Nooruddin Sheikh, the only eyewitness who can prove the guilt of key accused Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmad, did not turn up in court for cross-examination on Friday.
Shaikh had told the court on Thursday that Ansari had given the maps of Mumbai to Sabahuddin. He was to be cross-examined by Fahim's lawyer.
The police have informed court that three teams have been formed to located the missing witness.
"A key witness threw floodlights (sic) on how the 26/11 terrorists Abu Ismail and Kasab landed in Mumbai and deposed in court on Thursday and gave sensitive information. He was slated to depose today but did not come in even though he left home at 6.30 am. The police are looking into this and taking this matter seriously," public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.
On Thursday Nooruddin Sheikh had told the court that he was a friend of Fahim Ansari and had bumped into him and Sabahuddin Ahmad in Kathmandu in January 2008. During the meeting Sabahuddin had asked Fahim if he had completed Zaki-ur-Rahman's Lakhvi's work. Lakhvi is a Lashkar-e-Toiba commander.
Fahim and Sabahuddin were carrying maps. They said they were helping Pakistani friends visit Mumbai.
Fahim is accused of drawing the maps the terrorists used during the attack. Sabahuddin is accused of delivering the maps to the terrorists in Pakistan.
Nooruddin Sheikh is the only witness who can prove their involvement. Police say his absence could mean he has been threatened, harmed or even bought over.
Given the sensitive nature of this case and the fact that Nooruddin Shaikh is a key witness, why was he not given a security cover? It's a question the Mumbai police will have to answer. But after this the prosecution assures that adequate security measures will be taken to safeguard the other witnesses.