Mumbai: 26/11 prime accused Ajmal Kasab would observe 'rozas' during the holy Ramzan month commencing August 21, his lawyer Abbas Kazmi informed a trial court here on Monday and requested for making arrangements so that the Pakistani gunman is kept informed about the fast timings.
During Ramzan, Muslims observe fast and eat only before sunrise and after sunset, Kazmi said. Judge M L Tahaliyani said he would pass an order in due course on his plea to keep Roza.
Kazmi said during Ramzan, the prisoners in central
prison are provided with fruit and milk. This facility would
be extended to Kasab too but he would not know the time when
to break fast as he is confined to an isolated cell in jail.
The lawyer requested the court to make arrangements so
that Kasab is kept informed about the fast timings in the
evening and morning.
Kazmi also brought four story books in Urdu and
requested Tahaliyani to allow Kasab to read them. He said the
books -- "Kalisa Aur Aag" (Holy Cross and Fire),
"Kafila-e-Hejaz" (Caravan of Hejaz), "Kaisar Va Kusra" (a
romantic tale) and "Daastane-Mardane-Hur" (story of Hur) --
were being given on a request by Kasab.
The court would hand over the books to the jailor who
in turn would give them to Kasab. Later, the books would be
kept in the jail's library for other prisoners.
Earlier also Kazmi had provided story books to Kasab
who was looking for reading material after the court refused
to provide him newspapers in jail.
MTNL video conference facility
Services of Mahanagar Telephone
Nigam Ltd have been requisitioned to provide video conference
facility to a special court for deposition of three US
nationals, witness to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Preparations are underway to hold the video conference
this week for deposition of the witnesses whose identities
have been kept secret for security reasons, special public
prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told a news agency.
At least four screens would be provided in the special
court which is housed in the high security Central prison
located at Arthur Road in central Mumbai.
The date for holding the video conference would be fixed
after consulting the witnesses who are expected to throw light
on how the ten terrorists, including the lone surviving gunman
Ajmal Kasab, were in touch with their handlers in Pakistan
through mobile phones, Nikam said.
Two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials are
also expected to appear in person for deposition as witnesses,
the prosecutor said.
After the 26/11 Mumbai attack, in which 166 persons
including six Americans were killed, FBI had also conducted a
probe and has collected clinching evidence which would be
placed before the trial court here.
FBI sleuths would tell the court how the 26/11 terror
attacks were planned and executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba.
They would also throw light on where Global Positioning
System was activated and how during the attacks the terrorists
were in constant touch with the conspirators in Pakistan.
This is perhaps for the first time that witnesses from
abroad are deposing in a terror attack case, Nikam said.
The case of the prosecution is that some terrorists had
sought instructions from wanted accused based in Pakistan
through voice over internet protocol (VOIP) in New Jersey,
USA.
The Mumbai police had sought the services of FBI on
this aspect.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 00:01