Kasab to remain in Arthur Road jail: Home department

Maharashtra home department today decided not to shift Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab from the high-security Arthur Road jail in south Mumbai after a special court awarded him capital punishment in the 26/11 case.

"We have decided to keep Kasab in Arthur Road jail at least for some time," additional chief secretary (home), Chandra Iyengar told PTI.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of home department officials held here. Kasab, 22, has been lodged in
the high security jail since his arrest in 2008.
  
"If we have to move him to Bombay high court, the Arthur Road jail is convenient and it already has all the security measures in place. Shifting Kasab to other place can be considered later," Iyengar said.
       
Kasab was awarded the death sentence yesterday by a special court here which held that keeping him alive will be a "lingering danger" to society from a person who has no chance of reform.

On the process of appeal in high court against the verdict, home minister R R Patil had said he would request the Centre to fast track the high court procedure as the charges against Kasab are serious.