Police Inspector Ramesh Mahale may be the first investigation officer who will testify in a neighbouring country's court case through video-conferencing, if the Pakistani anti-terrorist court agrees to the appeal made by prosecutors arguing the 26/11 case in Pakistan.
Pakistani prosecutors have filed an application seeking permission to record the statement of both Mahale and Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R V Sawant Waghule, who had recorded the confession of the sole surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab.
India had rejected the appeal to send the two officers to Pakistan but said it could consider a statement of Mahale via video-conferencing.
However, the uniqueness of the situation or the prospect of recording statement for India's rival country does not faze Mahale.
Mahale told rediff.com that he had no idea when the video conferencing would be conducted.
"I have not been informed. And even after I do get the intimation, it has to be cleared by the home department in Delhi. I will do what they tell me to do," he said.
Mahale's statement will be used as evidence against the seven suspects in the 26/11 case in Pakistan.
When asked if he would need to specially prepare for the deposition, Mahale said it was unnecessary.
"I am going to tell them what I told the court here. There is nothing new to add. I can tell them about my investigation. If they ask me about the FIR, that I cannot talk about it, as I did not file that."
Mahale said there was no need to browse through the case papers as he remembered every detail pertaining to the case.
"Sometimes we answer questions related to cases that are even 10 years old. This is a fresh case; I remember all the details. I am ready to face any question at any time."
"Here too, three defence lawyers had cross examined me, I answered all their questions."
He also said that he would simply answer what he knew in connection with the case.
"I will answer questions about only what I know and what I investigated, if they ask me any other question, I will say I don't know."
When asked if he preferred video-conferencing to visiting Pakistan for recording statement, Mahale said, "That is for the Indian government to decide, not me. If they tell me to go, I will go; if they tell me to testify by video conferencing I will do that."
He refused to comment on Pakistan pursuing its own 26/11 case.
Image: Inspector Ramesh Mahale
