prosecution closes case on Wednesday, Defence says client needs help.
Going by his lawyer’s observations, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone and prize catch of Mumbai police in the 26/11 terror attack, doesn’t care about the outcome of the trial against him.
All that seems to be left of the trial now, as the prosecution closed its case on Wednesday, is recording of Kasab’s statement after the evidences against him are put up on Friday and subsequent arguments. The evidences will be drawn out of testimonies of 610 people.
Kasab’s lawyers, KP Pawar and VD More, said they had an interview with Kasab on Tuesday to explain to him that the prosecution will close its case, and wanting to seek his instructions on their next move.
“Kasab told us we can do whatever we wanted in the case,” said More. “We tried talking to him. But he didn’t even lift his head. He told us that he didn’t care what we did. Even on prodding, he said that he will not reveal what he really felt.”
In fact, after the prosecution closed its case, Pawar told the court, “I met him [Kasab] and tried to discuss the case with him. The accused is not mentally or physically fit, according to me. He was giving me irrelevant answers. He must be checked, and brought on track. Only then his statement should be taken.”
It has been quite a transformation of the young terrorist: when first seen in the court, Kasab was cocky and brash and now, after a year or so in solitary confinement, he looks disinterested — and even resigned — in the proceedings of the court.
When special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam tried to intervene on the ground that it is a delay-tactic on the part of the defence, Pawar said, “This concerns my accused [client], and I have to look after his well-being. He is not at all fit. His right should be preserved by the court.”
Nikam said, “Kindly ascertain these allegations from accused No.1 [Kasab]. His client is not giving him instructions. It doesn’t mean that Kasab is not mentally fit.” Nikam also indicated that he must be pretending to be sick.
To resolve this issue, first additional principal judge ML Tahaliyani asked Kasab, who was sitting with his head hanging all day, to stand up. “Do you have a problem?” the judge asked to which Kasab simply shook his head. The judge then asked him if he had fever, and was still vomiting. Without saying a word, Kasab replied in the negative to all the questions.
The judge then asked him if he is ready to give his statement. Kasab, who was unwell last week, nodded.
The judge assured Pawar that he would get Kasab’s medical examination done before recording of statement and place the record for his perusal.
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