Kasab trial to begin on April 15 in high-security court

MUMBAI: The trial of the lone militant suspect captured by police during the Mumbai attacks will begin next week, a court heard on Monday.

‘The prosecution will open their case on April 15,’ judge M.H. Tahiliani told the defendant, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, at a pre-trial hearing in the city.

Kasab faces a string of charges related to the November 26-29 attacks, including ‘waging war’ on India, murder and attempted murder. He could be executed if convicted.

The 21-year-old Pakistani national appeared in court via video-link from Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail, where he is being held on remand, and appeared cheerful during the hearing, which lasted just under 30 minutes.

The judge said his lawyer – appointed just last week – would now be given the charge-sheet to be able to construct a defence.

The court-appointed lawyer, Anjali Waghmare, had agreed to stick with the case, despite protests and fears for her safety. Hindu radicals demonstrated and threw stones outside her home after her appointment was announced.

Asked if he had any problems or concerns, Kasab, sporting a thin beard and appearing to be in the same clothes as at his last hearing on March 30, replied in English, ‘No sir.’

No plea was entered and he was remanded in custody.

The trial is due to take place at a special high-security court for terror suspects at Arthur Road jail.

Its start has been delayed while workers reinforce the structure and build a bomb-proof tunnel from Kasab’s cell to the courtroom after he reportedly received death threats.

The courtroom was earlier used to try defendants accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.

Two other suspects, Indian nationals Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, also appeared alongside Kasab Monday.

They are accused of giving logistical support to the attackers. They were remanded in custody to the same date.