Thursday, December 30 2004 17:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The special court conducting the re-trial in the Best bakery carnage case has sought extension of the proceedings in view of the Supreme Court deadline ending tomorrow (Dec 31, 2004).

While transferring the case from Gujarat to a special court in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court had asked the trial court to complete the proceedings by December end. As the trial has not yet concluded, it has become necessary for the court to seek extension of the deadline.

Registrar General of Bombay High Court R C Chavan today (Dec 30, 2004) said that an application has been filed by Special Judge Abhay Thipsay before the Supreme Court but the apex court is yet to decide on it.

"It has been filed and gone through the High Court but I can't disclose the period for which the extension has been sought," Chavan told reporters, adding that the communication was between the Special Judge and the Supreme Court.

The re-trial is at a crucial stage with 38 witnesses having been examined. The court is currently cross-examining Zaheera Sheikh who had turned hostile on December 21.

Prime eyewitness, Zaheera, who had survived the massacre on March 1, 2002, moved the Supreme Court with the help of an NGO, seeking re-trial of the accused outside the State on the ground that she had been intimidated.

She, however, made similar allegations against the NGO itself and also turned hostile in the court during the re-trial. A day after she turned hostile, 'Tehelka' newspaper captured controversial BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) MLA Madhu Srivastav on camera purportedly saying Zaheera was paid Rs 18 lakh to turn hostile in Vadodara court.

The apex court had on April 12, ordered the Bombay High Court to set up a special court for re-trial of 21 accused in the case.

Fourteen people, most of them from minority community, were killed in a carnage in Best Bakery in Vadodara on March one, 2002 in wake of post-Godhra violence.

The Gujarat High Court also upheld the lower court order acquitting them.

The special court conducting the re-trial is currently on vacation and will resume hearing on January 6.