MUMBAI: The crime branch has sought home department permission for custodial interrogation of lone Pakistani 26/11 terror accused Ajmal Kasab. Although Kasab is lodged in the special cell in Mumbai, a decision regarding his custody stays with the Central government."The Bombay high court has convicted him but his case is pending with the Supreme Court. Hence, any decision on him must to be taken by the central government," an officer said.
Last week, the crime branch wrote to the home department seeking his custody as they are likely to get the deported 26/11 conspirator Sayed Zabiuddin alias Abu Jundal face-to-face with Kasab next week. Sources said they will seek permission from the special court so that they can take either Kasab to the police headquarters, where Jundal is, or take Jundal to the high security cell at Arthur Road jail, where Kasab is.
The police said there were contradictions in the versions regarding the six unknown handlers and Pakistani ISI officials' involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. They said Ansari, who got the nickname 'Abu Jundal' after he completed "physical and spiritual training" in Pakistan, is a key accused in 26/11.
While Kasab had told police that Jundal had given him arms and ammunition training, Jundal said he did not participate in that but only gave Hindi and Marathi lessons to Kasab and nine others. Kasab had named Jundal among the 13 Pakistani handlers who had gone to see them off to Al Hussain, the Pakistani ship in which they sail from Karachi, and which later captured Indian fishing trawler M V Kuber. But Jundal, during interrogation, said he did not see off Kasab.
During interrogation, Kasab had named 13 Pakistanis who came for the send-off; Jundal, Abu Kahafa, Abu Humza and Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi key among them. "Jundal is an important conspirator as he was present in the control room along with five Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives who were dictating terms to the 10, including Kasab, who were sent to Mumbai in 2008. Many of them we only know by their nicknames. Jundal, being in a core group, may be knowing the others well," said an official.
Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
