26/11 trial: Kasab changes mind on pleading guilty

MUMBAI: Hours after informing a court that he wanted to plead guilty to all the charges framed against him in connection with the 26/11 blasts, prime accused Ajmal Kasab changed his mind and said he did not want to say anything.

When asked by Special Judge M L Tahailiyani why he said he wanted to plead guilty in the morning session of the court, Kasab replied, "Yun hi (Just like that)." The court then asked if he was being influenced by someone to admit his guilt, but the Pakistani gunman said he was not.

When the judge asked him whether he wanted the trial to go on, 22-year-old Kasab replied: "Ji haan, aapki marzi se (Yes sir, with your permission)."

As judge Tahaliyani expressed surprise over Kasab's behaviour, defence counsel Abbas Kazmi said it was due to the auspicious day of 'Shab-e-baraat (night of blessings)' which Muslims observed last night. On this day people believe that if you confess, you are forgiven by god, Kazmi told the court.

Later, Kazmi told reporters that Kasab was frustrated and was under the impression that a verdict will be given if he pleads guilty to all charges.

"I have explained to him that despite his pleading guilty to all charges the trial will go on because there are two other accused in the dock," Kazmi said.

In the morning when a witness was being examined, Kasab stood up in the dock and told Tahaliyani that he wanted to plead guilty.