Kasab's trial put off by a week

MUMBAI: The trial of lone surviving gunman in the Mumbai terror attack case, Mohammed Amir Ajmal Kasab, scheduled to begin in the premises of Arthur Road central jail tomorrow, has been put off by a week as the construction of the special court is not yet over.

"The construction of court's slab is still on and the work is expected to be completed in six to seven days", special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

The Public Works Department has informed the jail authorities that the work is going in full swing since last month and the construction would be completed soon. Only then will they be able to hand over the court premises to the jail authorities.

A portion of the jail has been segregated for Kasab's cell and the court. Earlier TADA court, which conducted the 1993 bomb blast trial was housed here. In between Kasab's cell and the court, the authorities have built a bomb proof tunnel to allow Kasab direct access to the court from the prison.

According to prosecutor Nikam, Kasab and two others would be produced before the sessions court tomorrow through video conference facility. This court is now in South Mumbai and would shift to Arthur Road jail after the construction of the new court is over.