Kasab throws tantrums, spits on camera, walks away in a huff

MUMBAI: A day after giggling, Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist involved in the 26/11 attacks, on Tuesday threw a fit making angry gestures at policemen and spat on webcam during hearing in the Bombay High Court on confirmation of his death sentence.

Kasab, facing capital punishment for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, suddenly got angry with policemen at the Arthur Road jail and was seen on the video screen put up in the court arguing with them.

23-year-old Kasab could not, however, be heard at that stage as the audio system was not working. Towards the end of the first session, Kasab spat on the camera and said in an aggressive tone "Main aana chahata hoon (I want to come to the court)."

The division bench, comprising Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice R V More, had left the court room by then for lunch.

Earlier, after the hearing began, Kasab urged the Judges to allow him to attend the court personally instead of appearing through video conference.

"Madam, main court mein aana chahata hoon" (Madam, I want to come to the Court), Kasab said after seeking permission to go to the washroom.

Justice Desai replied, "This is not the practice. We are not looking at evidence. We are only hearing arguments. Speak to your lawyer."

She told him that the bench would hear him later and asked him to leave for the washroom.

However, after some time Kasab grew restless and picked up an argument with policemen, which was not audible.

When hearing resumed, Kasab said, "Send me to the US. I want to see the outside world. Why have you put me here?"

The judges told Kasab to talk to his lawyer about his plea to go to the US.

Kasab was then seen walking away in a huff from the video conferencing, prompting the judges to remark there is no requirement in law that he should remain present in the court.

"Spitting is not expected and as Kasab has walked out on his own, the court cannot help it," the judges said after getting a complaint that he spat on the camera during lunch recess.

Kasab was seen smiling and yawning yesterday showing no signs of remorse when hearing on his death sentence commenced.

State's Counsel Ujjwal Nikam said Kasab and nine others were involved in the heinous conspiracy hatched in Pakistan by LeT to destabilise India, wage war against the country and cause financial losses by carrying out terror attacks in Mumbai in which 166 persons were killed.

For security reasons, instead of being brought to the High Court for daily hearings, he is beamed in through video conference.

Kasab has been kept in a special bomb-proof and bullet-proof cell in the high security jail. He had applied, through his lawyers, to be physically present in the High Court but this was rejected by the court for security reasons.

On May 6, the trial court had awarded death sentence to Kasab. In accordance with law, death penalty was referred to the High Court for confirmation.