Monday, February 21 2005 15:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Bilkis Bano, the prime witness in the Bilkis Bano gang rape-cum-murder case, today (Feb 21, 2005) deposed before a special court for in-camera trial in response to a summons issued to her.

On two occasions earlier, Bilkis had failed to appear before the court and a fresh summons was served on her recently, according to prosecutor R K Shah.

Bilkis was examined by special public prosecutor R K Shah.

The accused were not brought to the court in view of shortage of police personnel due to Muharram, defence lawyer Rajendra Shirodkar said.

Seven accused, including six police officers and Sangeeta Prasad - one of the doctors who conducted the post-mortem on the victims, urged for bail through their lawyers on the ground of parity saying another accused physician, Arun Prasad, had already got bail from the High Court.

They also pleaded that they were not connected with the main charge of murder and rape and hence they should be granted bail.

The court has asked prosecution to file its reply on their bail plea.

On last occasion, defence lawyers as well as the prosecution had sought time until today to study the case of Sangeeta Prasad, who has been found medically fit to stand trial.

Earlier, the court had separated the trial of Prasad as she was under medical treatment. However, recent medical check-up revealed that she was fit to stand trial now. Prasad is charged with helping co-accused to fabricate medical records of prime witness Bilkis Bano.