Media warned on Mumbai evidence

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An Indian court has ordered media not to broadcast certain material related to the Mumbai attacks, saying it may jeopardise next week's trial.

The court did not specify the material but said some evidence had already been "disclosed on television channels" and banned further such broadcasts.

It is believed it includes intercepted conversations by the alleged gunmen.

The trial of Pakistani national Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab and others is scheduled to begin early next week.

'No blanket ban'

The temporary banning order came after a prosecution request to the court. It said "part of the evidence was disclosed on television channels" and would "seriously jeopardise the just and proper decision of the court" if rebroadcast.

In addition to the alleged conversation intercepts between the gunmen, the material is said to include recorded statements by Qasab.

Qasab was arrested on 26 November - the first day of the attacks

The court order says: "The investigating officer and the special public prosecutor have serious apprehensions that witnesses pertaining to that part of the evidence will be scared and the publication will endanger their lives."

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said the order was temporary and was not a blanket ban on reporting of this case.

He said: "This order does not mean that the trial will be held in camera. It is unfortunate that some sections of the media are trying to [publish] evidence as well as trying to glorify Qasab."

The trial is to be held in the maximum-security Arthur Road jail in Mumbai.

Police have charged Qasab and several others. He was arrested on the first day of the attacks - 26 November.

The charge sheet relating to the attacks runs to more than 11,000 pages.

Qasab was recently informed about the charge sheet through video conference.

He has not been produced in court so far due to security concerns.

When the trial begins, the court is first expected to make enquiries about legal assistance for Qasab.

Nine gunmen were shot dead in the financial capital in November. In all, more than 170 people died.

India has accused Pakistan-based militants from the banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba of carrying out the attacks. Pakistan has admitted they were partly planned on its soil.

Relations between India and Pakistan have worsened considerably since the attacks.

As well as accusing Lashkar-e-Taiba of being behind them, India suggested that "state actors" in Pakistan were also involved.

Delhi has submitted a list of suspects to Pakistan and demanded they be handed over. Both Pakistan and Lashkar have denied involvement.