Kasab withdraws into shell after Bombay HC verdict

Mumbai, Feb 22: A day after the Bombay High Court confirmed the death sentence to Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 terror attack case, the Pakistani terrorist has withdrawn into a shell and does not talk to any guards in Arthur Road Jail here, prison sources said today.

After hearing the verdict in the video conference room of the prison, Kasab returned to his cell and did not show any signs of being tense or feeling dejected. He did not talk to anyone and slept well after having dinner, the sources told PTI.

In keeping with daily rituals, Kasab offered ''Namaz'' before going to bed.

In the past, Kasab has complained to the trial court as well as the High Court about being kept in solitary confinement and expressed his desire to hear the proceedings by appearing in person. However, his plea has been rejected a couple of times.

Kasab's lawyer Farhana Shah said she would meet him in a day or two in jail to inform about the details of the verdict and seek his instructions on filing appeal in the Supreme Court.

A division bench had yesterday confirmed the death sentence awarded to Kasab by the trial court. The court held him guilty of multiple murders, criminal conspiracy and waging war against the nation.

The Court had also dismissed Kasab's appeal against conviction and death sentence, saying the offences committed by him fell in the "rarest of the rare" category and not giving him death would send wrong signals as the crime committed by him was very serious.

PTI