Fahim Ansari drew 26/11 terror maps: Expert

A handwriting expert on Friday observed in a special court that markings shown on a map of 26/11 terror target spots recovered from slain terrorist Abu Ismail matched with specimen writings of accused Fahim Ansari, who is being tried along with Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab.

According to special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Fahim had allegedly drawn a map of target spots in Mumbai and handed them over to banned terror organisation Laskhar-e-Tayiba, which executed the terror attacks.

Among other places, the map mentioned Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus, Marine drive, Chowpatty, Malabar Hill and Raj Bhavan. The names of these places were written by hand and matched with specimen of Fahim's writing, handwriting expert, Jayant Ahir, who has examined over two lakh documents so far in his career, said Nikam.

The prosecution had collected 108 samples of Fahim's writing and matched them with 12 markings in the map purportedly drawn by Fahim. Ahir had first given opinion on March 20 this year about Fahim's handwriting matching with the markings on the map.

On Friday, he deposed in the court reconfirming his findings. The maps and specimen writings were shown to Fahim in the court but he did not react saying his lawyer would cross-examine the witness later.