We had to protect Kasab from within police dept: ATS chief

MUMBAI: Mumbai police authorities had to protect Ajmal Kasab, the Pakistani gunman who was captured alive during November 26 attack, not only from angry public, but even "from within the (police) department," Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Rakesh Maria said today.

Maria, who was then Joint Commissioner (Crime), supervised the investigation, as well as security measures for the 26/11 trial.

"There was a lot of public anger...Department had lost some of the best officers (during the attack), so we had to protect Kasab from within the department because there was anger in department also," Maria told a TV channel this morning.

The special court here is expected to declare the verdict in the November 26 trial today.