Ajmal Kasab was nervous for some time after verdict

Ajmal Ameer Kasab

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: Ajmal Kasab, India’s most high-profile prisoner whose death sentence was confirmed by the Bombay high court, spent a normal day at th e Arthur Road jail on Monday. Kasab (23) got nervous after hearing about the confirmation, but was later normal and had his lunch on time.

Jail authorities said the Pakistani terrorist was taken to a room adjacent to his cell for videoconferencing. “The web camera was switched off after the judge confirmed his death sentence,” said Surinder Kumar, inspector-general (prisons). “He was then taken back to his high security cell,” Kumar said.

According to jail officials, Kasab was nervous for some time. “He asked policemen posted there how long it would take for the government to hang him. The constables told him that they had an option of approaching the Supreme Court and that it could be delayed for more time. Hearing this, Kasab seemed relieved and asked whether his lunch was sent or not,” a jail official said.

Kasab ate almost everything served to him by a constable and later went off to sleep as usual. Kasab was arrested from Girgaum-Chowpatty on the midnight of November 27, 2008 soon after he along with his mentor, Ismail Dera Khan, killed over two dozen persons, including anti-terrorism squad chief Hemant Karkare and additional commissioner of police Ashok Kamte.

“Kasab usually sleeps in the cell. He is undergoing treatment for acidity. Most of the time, he sleeps or sits near the door. He also speaks to constables posted there. But he has never wanted to go out of his cell, though he has been seen in the most stressful and frustrating conditions,” said the jail official.

Shift likely in 3 months
The Arthur Road jail authorities seemed to be relieved after it was stated that Ajmal Kasab will be shifted to Yerawada jail. Surinder Kumar, inspector-general (prisons), said, “I have visited the jail in Pune. We have selected a cell and will modify it soon. Kasab will be shifted there in three months.” He added that the cell was secure enough there.

A jail official said they had been on high alert since Kasab was brought to Arthur Road jail.

The Times of India, February 23, 2011