Pakistan’s demand

The editorial “No handing over of Kasab”(April 27) exposes the fallacy of Pakistan's demand for the custody of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only accused captured alive in the Mumbai terror attacks, and also for making available police officers and Magistrates to testify before a Rawalpindi court. Apart from the question of propriety and legality, the demand is unreasonable and illogical. The slipshod manner in which Pakistan had handled the case would indicate that the present request is only a ploy to blame India at the end. We should be doubly cautious in responding to the demands.

V.K. Sathyavan Nair,

Kottayam

As rightly mentioned in the editorial, Kasab should not be handed over, come what may, to Pakistan, whose words and deeds were, more often than not, 180 degrees apart. If Pakistan's demand is acceded to, it will be curtains for justice for those who sacrificed their lives in the 26/11attack. Pakistan's asking for the magistrates and police officials who recorded Kasab's statements to testify before a Rawalpindi court should not be acceded to either. However, if it can serve the interest of India — to deliver due punishment to Kasab — in addition to your suggestion that the magistrates can provide the required testimony to Pakistan in writing, rather than in person, providing the testimony through video conferencing can be thought of.

A. Jainulabdeen,

Chennai