Mumbai attacks trial prosecution concludes case

Troops battled for three days to regain control of Mumbai in November 2008

The prosecution has concluded its case in the trial of the man alleged to be the sole surviving gunman in last year's Mumbai (Bombay) attacks.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, a Pakistani national, faces 86 charges, including waging war on India, murder and possessing explosives.

In all 610 witnesses have testified since the case began in March.

The November 2008 attacks left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen, and soured ties between India and Pakistan.

The BBC's Prachi Pinglay in the special court in Mumbai says that a verdict in the case is expected early next year.

Our correspondent says that it is not yet clear whether the defence will now call any witnesses.

'Not mentally fit'

Closing his arguments, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said a judgement was not far off.

"We have completed the trial in a record time of seven months. The judgement may be delivered in a month or two," he told the court.

Mumbai suspect's lawyer is sacked

In November the main lawyer representing Mr Qasab was removed from the case. The judge said he was wasting time.

Advocate KP Pawar is now defending the accused man, who was arrested on the first day of the attacks.

Mr Qasab originally denied the charges against him but in July, in a dramatic outburst in court, he admitted his role and asked to be hanged. His plea was not accepted and the trial continued.

He is to be given another chance to address the court on Friday.

Mr Pawar said his client, who has been unwell recently, was not physically and mentally fit to record a statement.

But, asked by the judge if he felt well enough, Mr Qasab nodded that he did.

The prosecution has also wound up its arguments in the cases of two Indians accused of being accomplices of the 10 gunmen.

The attacks soured relations between India and Pakistan and Delhi suspended peace talks with Islamabad.

After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that Mr Qasab was one of its citizens and that the attacks had been partially planned on its territory.

Last month a court in Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks, including the suspected mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who is alleged to head the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.