A court in Calcutta has unexpectedly delayed announcing its verdict in a long-running case involving seven men accused of smuggling arms and waging war against India.

The verdict against a Briton, an Indian and five Latvian air crew was expected today, after a trial lasting nearly two years.

But an activist who's been advising the Briton, Peter Bleach, launched a number of last-minute challenges, forcing another two week adjournment.

The men were arrested more than four years ago, following a large airdrop of arms over West Bengal.

They are accused of waging war on India by attempting to supply arms to a controversial Hindu sect based in the area. Two others are being tried in their absence: they are a New Zealander alleged to be the ringleader, and an Indian.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service