Mumbai: The special court, conducting the retrial in the Best Bakery carnage, today (Dec 4, 2004) asked Saira Sheikh, sister of prime witness Zaheera Sheikh to stay back in Mumbai on Sunday as her examination is continuing and the prosecution feels that if she goes back to Vadodara, her evidences might get tampered.

The court gave this order after Saira agreed to stay back on a condition that security to her would be provided by policemen who have come from Gujarat and not by Mumbai police as the latter would amount to "virtual custody."

The court, however, directed the Mumbai police to ensure that no one approaches, contacts or tries to influence the witness.

The court also asked DCP M M Rathore (protection) to record statements of three constables who have accompanied Saira as they were not carrying any duty pass.

Earlier in the day, the prosecution requested the Special Court to detain Saira in Mumbai till Monday to prevent her from getting influenced by someone and distort the evidence.

Prosecutor Manjula Rao moved an application before the Special Court to detain Saira in Mumbai saying she had enough reasons to believe that Saira's evidences may get influenced if she goes back to Vadodara.