'Kasab never asked for biryani, it was concocted,' says Ujjwal Nikam

Jaipur, March 21: 26/11 Mumbai terror-attack accused Ajmal Kasab's demand for mutton biryani in jail was just a myth and was "concocted" to stop an "emotional wave" which was being created in favour of the militant, claimed Ujjwal Nikam, public prosecutor in the case.

"Kasab never demanded biryani and was never served by the government. I concocted it just to break an emotional atmosphere which was taking shape in favour of Kasab during the trial of the case," Nikam told reporters on the sidelines of international conference on counterterrorism here.

"Media was minutely observing his body language and he was well aware of it. One day, in the court room, he bowed his head and wiped his eyes. Moments later, electronic media broke the news - tears in Kasab's eyes.

It was Rakshabandhan that day, and panel discussions were started in the media on it. Some guessed Kasab got emotional in memory of his sister and some even went on to question whether he was a terrorist or not," Nikam said.

"This kind of emotional wave and atmosphere was needed. So, after that, I gave a statement to the media saying Kasab has demanded mutton biryani in the jail," he said.

Nikam said that when he told this to the media, again panel discussions were started and the media highlighted that a dreaded terrorist was demanding mutton biryani in jail while "the truth is that Kasab neither asked for biryani nor it was served."

Pakistani terrorist Kasab was hanged to death in November 21, 2012 nearly four years after the November 2008 attack in which he had killed scores of people.

PTI