26/11 accused Kasab's statement to be recorded in Mumbai special trial Court

Mumbai, Dec 18 (ANI): The spotlight is back on the lone surviving Pakistani gunman Mohd Ajmal Amir Kasab, whose statement is to be recorded today in the 26/11 special trial Court in Mumbai. Earlier on Wednesday, the prosecution had closed the case, after hearing around six hundred witnesses for a period of over seven months.

The special trial court will record Kasab's statements after the evidence against him is read out. Kasab has been accused of various charges ranging from waging war against the nation to conspiracy and murder.

On the basis of the evidence presented by the prosecution, the special trial court will record Kasab's statements under section 313(1)(b) of CrPC. Special judge M L Tahaliyani is expected to record the statements of Kasab.

Kasab is bound to reply to the questions, as on refusal he shall be liable to punishment.

Earlier, Kasab had made three confessions after his arrest. He had admitted his guilt in front of the police and before a magistrate that will be taken into account as evidence. Kasab had also accepted his guilt in the special trail court.

It would be interesting to see if Kasab sticks to his confessions or disagrees with them today in the court.

Two Indian nationals Faheem Ansari and Sabahuddin Sheikh are also standing as accused along with Kasab.

Additional Commissioner of Police Dewan Bharati and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Duraphe were the two last witnesses to be heard in the 26/11 special trial court on Wednesday.

Kasab's lawyer had asked for some favours on account of Kasab's health ground on Wednesday; but Kasab, who was present in the court to hear the proceedings, appeared to be disinterested and said he had no problems in recording his statement.

Ten gunmen had landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired randomly inside a railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and two luxury hotels.

Several people were held hostage for the next three days and at least 166 died and over 304 were injured, before commandoes smoked out the last of the terrorists on November 28 last year. (ANI)