‘26/11 terrorists had plans to attack Malabar Hills’

After the 26/11 attacks Ajmal Kasab and nine other Pakistani terrorists had also planned to strike at Malabar Hills where the Raj Bhawan and the Chief Minister’s residence are located, government counsel Ujjwal Nikam told the Bombay High Court on Friday.

Resuming his arguments in the hearing for confirmation of Kasab’s death sentence, Mr. Nikam said a map was found from slain terrorist Abu Ismail which showed Malabar Hills as their next destination. Several VIPs stay in Malabar Hills.

Kasab continued to make fresh demands on Friday. He wanted his case to be referred to an international court dealing with human rights violations, saying he does not expect justice from Indian courts.

Kasab told his lawyers Amin Solkar and Farhana Shah, who met him at the Arthur Road Central jail, that he does not believe in the Indian judicial system.

Kasab also complained to them that he was being kept in solitary confinement and not given newspapers or books to read, Mr. Shah told PTI .

He wants to establish contact with the outside world and solitary confinement is making him mentally disturbed, the lawyer said.

Kasab, who has been pulled up by the court for spitting at a webcam and arguing with policemen, has been insisting that he should be physically present in court during the hearings as he did not trust the video conferencing process.

“He does not believe in video conference and insists that he should be produced personally,” Mr. Shah said.

“We explained to him that he has threat perception but Kasab still insists on appearing personally before the High Court,” the lawyer said.

Justices Ranjana Desai and R. V. More, hearing the case, also have to deal with an appeal moved by Kasab against his conviction and death penalty as well as an appeal filed by the State against acquittal of Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, who were charged with complicity in the conspiracy.

Kasab had confessed that he was a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba which had planned and executed the 26/11 terror attacks.

On May 6, the trial court had sentenced Kasab to death for his role in killing 166 persons, including foreigners, at various places in Mumbai on November 28, 2008.