Forensic reports, two witnesses say Kasab was above 20 years

Mumbai, Apr 28 (PTI) The reports of dental examination
and ossification (bone) tests conducted on Mohammed Ajmal Amir
Kasab, prime accused in the Mumbai terror attack case have
revealed that he was above 20 years, and not a juvenile as
claimed by him.

Presenting the medical findings in court Tuesday, the
prosecution told the judge that the report of the dental
examination of the lower jaw of Kasab has reveled that the
wisdom tooth had erupted and roots developed.

The ossification report reveals that there was
complete fusion of bones, indicating that he was above 21
years. The reports were prepared by a panel of four doctors
from J J hospital.

In a related development, jail superintendent Swati
Sathe and Nair hospital doctors Dr V Ramamurthy told the court
that the surviving terrorist has given his age as 21 years
when he was brought to them after his arrest in November last
year.

Both of them testified before the court as
prosecution's witnesses and showed their records, where
Kasab's age is mentioned as 21 years.

Dr Ramamurthy identified Kasab in the open court
saying he was the same person who was brought in front of him
on the night of November 26 terror attack and had given his
age as 21 years.

The court has summoned three more witnesses Wednesday
for Kasab's lawyer to cross examine on the point of evidence
tendered by the prosecution, that the accused was a major and
not a juvenile.

These witnesses are: the doctor who conducted the
ossification test, the Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) and
record keeper of Nair hospital, where Kasab was admitted with
bullet injuries on the night of terror attacks.

Kasab is charged with killing 166 persons and opening
fire indiscriminately along with nine others at important
locations in Mumbai on November 26 last year.

Following his claim that he was a juvenile at the time
of the attack, the court had on April 24 ordered an inquiry to
determine whether Kasab, is a juvenile or not. PTI SVS
PMR