India, Feb. 8 -- Vijay Palande, accused of being a serial killer and an undertrial in one of the murder cases registered against him in 2012, has approached a Mumbai sessions court seeking to summon police commissioner Deven Bharti, senior forensic experts and two journalists as defence witnesses, contending that crucial aspects of the investigation and forensic handling in the case need to be tested during trial.

Palande is accused in multiple murders that came to light in 2012, including the killing of Delhi-based businessman Arun Tikku at his Oshiwara residence. His arrest in that case had led investigators to link him to two other murder cases, one of which involved an unidentified victim.

Palande, currently in judicial custody, has...