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Summary Lakhvi's lawyers filed petition, expressing dissatisfaction with Judge Shahid Rafique.
The trial of seven Pakistanis charged with involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks was adjourned for a week after one of the key accused, Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, filed a petition against the judge of the anti-terrorism court.Lakhvi alleged the judge was working under the influence of Pakistans Interior Ministry, the prosecution and the Indian government. Lakhvi asked for the judge to be changed, claiming he could not expect justice from him.There were no proceedings after the petition was filed and the judge adjourned the case till September 17, sources said. Three prosecution witnesses were expected to testify today.The proceedings have already been marred by controversies and technical delays and the judge has been changed four times.Chief prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar said that the defence lawyers became annoyed with Judge Rafique after he allowed the formation of a commission to go to India to interview key officials linked to the investigation of the Mumbai attacks.The defence lawyers were now resorting to delaying tactics”, he said. Zulfiqar said he had informed the court that this was not the first time that the defence lawyers had expressed dissatisfaction with the judge.Seven Pakistani suspects, including Lakhvi, have been accused of planning, facilitating and financing the attacks in Indias financial hub that killed 166 people in November 2008.
