India may ask Pakistan to transfer 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi’s case

New Delhi: Encouraged by the support of the US and the UK, who asked Pakistan to hand over to India the mastermind of 26/11 attacks Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, India could formally ask Pakistan now to transfer Lakhvi’s case related to Mumbai attack to the recently set up fast-track Military Courts for terror cases.

Lakhvi was recently granted bail in connection with the Mumbai terror attack case leading to strong protest by India. Following this the dreaded terrorist was subsequently arrested in connection with another case and kept in jail.

Senior government sources said they were fully aware of the fact that India and Pakistan do not have an extradition treaty so it will be virtually impossible to get Lakhvi to India to stand trial. But now backed by international support, India could mount more pressure on Pakistan to expedite trial against Lakhvi and others for the Mumbai case which has been pending for more than five years now.

The fact that the US and the UK, though the countries were not named, had asked Pakistan to handover Lakhvi to India came to light during his bail hearing in the Islamabad High Court on Monday when the prosecution claimed, “two countries had demanded handing over of Lakhvi to India.”

“This is part of India’s sustained diplomatic and security initiatives that other countries are now supporting our cause and fight against terror. This is definitely a shot in the arm and we will continue to mount further pressure on Pakistan now,” a senior government official said.

One of the strong options being discussed among highest levels in the government is to now ask Pakistan to shift Lakhvi’s case to the Military Courts for its early disposal.

These Courts were set up by the Nawaz Sharif government following the attack on the Peshawar Army School last month in an attempt to fast-track cases against dreaded terrorists.

“We are aware of the fact that Pakistan will tell the international community that it does not have an extradition treaty with India so it cannot send Lakhvi here to face trial. So the next best option for us is to seek the transfer of case to the military courts,” the official added.