Kasab's trial to begin today, mother to visit him

Mumbai, Apr.15 (ANI): The trial of Ajamal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the Mumbai attacks will be taken up by a court here on Wednesday in person.

According to a Times Now television report, this is the first time Kasab will appear before the court as the high profile 26/11 trial commences.

The appearance comes as the External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, has said that Kasab's mother is likely to be a witness at the trial. The Indian Government has welcomed this development as it would help in re-establishing Kasab's identity as a Pakistani national, something that Pakistan till recently had denied.

Second, it will also help prove to the world that New Delhi is doing a good job of holding a just and fair trial.

Mukherjee also said that New Delhi would be more than willing to give specific information to Pakistan on the Mumbai attacks, but on one precondition-Islamabad must not delay investigations on the pretext of clarifications.

Mukherjee was reacting to Pakistan Interior Adviser Rehman Malik's allegations on April 13 that India had not provided adequate information on the Mumbai attack and that it had sent duplicate DNA samples of two of the ten attackers in the carnage.

"I have discussed the matter with our foreign secretary (Shivshankar Menon). We have received the papers from Pakistan," Mukherjee said, adding "We are now looking into the papers and will pass on more information to the neighbouring nation if it found necessary."

"The matter should not be delayed by raking up issues or seeking clarifications. We are ready to provide them whatever information they ask for, if we have it," the minister said.

"It's a fact that many people were killed in the Mumbai attacks. One terrorist has been arrested. He has made some confessions. His mother will be arriving in India to meet him," he said.

"If somebody wants to evade and avoid these realities, what can be done?" he asked. (ANI)