India's Supreme Court in April ordered a retrial after key witness Zaheera Sheikh said she had been forced to retract her testimony during the original trial, held in Gujarat, due to threats by Hindu hardliners.

The court ordered the retrial be held in neighbouring Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital.

Press reports yesterday said the main witnesses were being housed at a secret location to prevent intimidation.

The case got underway at a special court here presided over by Judge Abhay Tipsay.

Proceedings began with cross-examination of government officials as to the location of various buildings, including of the Best Bakery in the Gujarati town of Baroda, which was set ablaze by a mob during the rioting.