Mumbai:
The Bombay High Court has ruled that any meetings between terrorist Ajmal Kasab and his lawyers will have to be conducted with jail officials close by. The decision comes after the court reviewed security camera footage which showed Kasab attacking a jail official on September 1.
Kasab had petitioned the court for the right to meet his lawyers in privacy. Amin Solkar, who represents him, had said he was uncomfortable answering questions in the presence of jail staff or police officers.
Kasab, convicted for waging war against India with the 26/11 attacks, has been given the death sentence and is kept at Arthur Road jail in a cell that's both bomb and bulletproof.
The Maharashtra government had said that his lawyers were at risk during meetings with Kasab. Security camera footage in which Kasab attacked a jail official on September 1 was submitted to the court for review. "Kasab is a trained commando and with swift movements and he can pose a great danger to his own life as well as to the guards," special prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the court on Tuesday.
The court has ruled that jail guards will have to be stationed close enough to see and hear Kasab during his legal consultations. Nikam informed the High Court that after the September 1 assault, Kasab's movements are closely monitored through security cameras and that an officer is within four feet of the terrorist at all times.
"The presence of jail officers near him during interview with lawyers is essential to control his aggressive movements," he said.
Kasab has challenged the death penalty given to him in May. His appeal will be heard by the Bombay High Court starting October 18. Hearings will be held everyday, but Kasab will not be brought to court for security reasons. He will participate through video conferencing.