Mumbai: Sehrunnisa Sheikh, mother of prime witness in the Best Bakery case Zaheera Sheikh, was today (Dec 16, 2004) taken into custody after the trial court initiated contempt proceedings against her for her defiant attitude during her deposition as a witness.

She would be kept in custody till the contempt notice is served on her this evening.

Soon after this development, her lawyer Harshad Ponda, told the court that he was withdrawing from the case and would not appear on her behalf.

When Sehrunnisa was tendering evidence, she frequently looked at Raes Khan, NGO activist, who was sitting in the court.

The judge told her to address the court and not to look at others. But the witness continued to look at Raes.

Sehrunnisa said Raes was gesturing at her and hence she was looking at him.

The judge warned her that she could be held for contempt and Raes Khan had given her death threats. Sehrunnisa alleged that Setalvad and Rais had visited her house in Mumbai over a month ago and threatened to shoot her and her family. She also alleged that her son Nafitullah was dragged and taken away in a vehicle by four men around the same time.

The judge had yesterday (Dec 15, 2004) pulled up Sehrunnisa for her improper behaviour in the court room.