We had to protect Kasab from policemens' anger: Maharashtra ATS chief

Mumbai, May 3 (ANI): Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Rakesh Maria revealed on Monday that the ATS had to protect Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist arrested during 26/11 attacks, not only from public anger but also from anger within the force.

Maria, was Joint Commissioner (Crime) at the time of the terror strike.

He has supervised Kasab's investigation, as well as security measures for the 26/11 trial.

Maria said the anger of the men in uniform had crossed its limit after the loss of many good officers.

"There was a lot of public anger... the department had lost some of the best officers (during the attack), so we had to protect Kasab from within the department because there was anger in department also," Maria said.

The then ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte and encounter specialist Inspector Vijay Saluskar were among those who lost their lives while on duty.

Today, the country is looking forward to the special court's verdict.

The verdict is expected to be delivered around 2 p.m. (ANI)