Kasab attacked security guard in jail, court told

MUMBAI - Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, awarded the death penalty for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, allegedly assaulted a guard in the high security Arthur Road Central Jail where he is lodged, the Bombay High Court was informed Tuesday.

Making the revelation, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said the attack took place Sep 1, inside the fortress-like prison in south Mumbai.

Nikam also presented a CD showing CCTV footage of the incident to Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice V.K. Tahilramani, while opposing a plea by Kasab’s lawyer seeking directions to debar jail authorities from being present in the room when they discuss legal issues.

Nikam said it was impossible for police or jail authorities to permit the Pakistani terrorist meet his lawyers in isolation, without the presence of security officials.

He expressed apprehensions that Kasab may attack his lawyer and hence he should be allowed to discuss issues with the lawyer only in the presence of security and jail personnel.

Making a strong plea for meeting Kasab in isolation, his government-appointed lawyer Farhana Shah said that he (Kasab) felt uncomfortable discussing details of his case in front of security and jail personnel.

Shah also said that she had no objections to the presence of security personnel as long as they remained at a distance where they could not hear her discussion with Kasab.

The judges said that they would view the CD of the alleged attack by Kasab and posted the matter for hearing Wednesday.

On May 3, Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani held Kasab guilty on five counts in the killing of 166 people during the Mumbai terror attack.