26/11 Trial: Kasab Statement to Be Recorded on Dec 18

In 26/11 trial, a special court has fixed December 18 to record the statement of lone surviving attacker Amir Ajmal Kasab, as the prosecution wound up its case.

On Wednesday, the prosecution wrapped up examination of evidences and a total of 610 witnesses against Kasab and two Indian accused – Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed.

Now, Kasab’s statement will be recorded by the court under Section 313 of CrPC on the evidences and witnesses produced by the prosecution on December 18.

However, defence counsel KP Pawar argued that the trial should proceed only after Kasab is medically fit.

When Special Judge M L Tahilyani asked Kasab if he was ill, the Pakistani national replied in the negative and said that he was fit to give his statement.

“The trial began on May 8 and in about seven months the prosecution today closed the case,” Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

He contended that the prosecution’s aim was not only to prove the case against Kasab, but also expose the prime conspirators from Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

“Kasab is one of the instruments of the terror outfit. He and the nine other slain terrorists were a small part of LeT which wanted to inflict serious damage to India by attacking its commercial capital,” Nikam was quoted as saying by PTI.

All 30 witnesses identified Kasab in the identification parade and in the court. Forensic expert, giving their opinion, said that the DNA samples collected from the boat-Kuber (in which terrorists landed in Mumbai) matched with the DNA of Kasab and other slain terrorists.