Mumbai: "If someone feels I have done this for a lesser sentence, hang me," said Amir Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist acught after Mumbai terror attacks.
That's Ajmal Kasab's response to allegations that he's pleading guilty for a lighter sentence.
In court as the judge tried to find out if his plea of guilt was the result of outside pressure, Kasab told the judge emphatically, his statement was voluntary.
"I do not want punishment from God. Whatever I have done in this world I should get punished for it by this world itself," Kasab said.
Dramatic statements that have impressed few.
"He should be given the capital punishment. He must have confessed under Pakistani pressure," said Kavita Karkare, wife of Late Hemant Karkare.
The prosecution has refused to accept Kasab's plea in its entirety, pointing to several contradictions between his earlier confession and his statement in court now.
For example:
"He had named and spoken at length on the roles of his Pakistani co-conspirators but had not named any Indian."
Now he's primarily spoken of an Indian Abu Jundal as having taught them Hindi.
On co-conspirators:
- Before: Named, detailed the roles of Pakistani co-conspirators
- Before: Did not name Indian handler Abu Jundal
- Now: Spoke primarily of Jundal's role
"Kasab is doing all this only to shield the Paksitani co-conspirators," said Ujjawal Nikam, Special Public Prosecutor.
Only the judge will decide whether Kasab's plea of guilt will be accepted but importantly it will decide how soon the 26/11 trial will be brought to a close.