Court to give ruling on age of Kasab tomorrow

Mumbai, May 1 (PTI) The direction of trial of Mohammed
Ajmal Amir Kasab, the prime accused in 26/11 Mumbai terror
attack case, may be decided Saturday when the court is
expected to give its findings on claim made by him that he is
a minor.

On a prosecution plea, judge M L Tahaliyani had ordered
an inquiry to determine Kasab's age.

The accused had claimed that he was less than 18 years
and therefore could not be tried by the special court.

The inquiry concluded on Wednesday with Special Public
Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam submitting forensic and substantive
evidence to show that Kasab was not a minor.

The testimony of five witnesses, Ossification (bone)
test and dental check has revealed that he was above 20 years.

The witnesses --- Jail Superindent and the doctor who
treated Kasab for bullet injuries sustained in a police
encounter on the day of terror --- have deposed saying the
accused had himself told them that he was 21.

The duo even showed the court the registers wherein
they had recorded Kasab's age as 21 years.

However, Kasab has denied telling Jail Superintendent
and the doctor that he was 21. His lawyer Abbas Kazmi has also
questioned forensic tests saying that these cannot be regarded
as authentic and accurate.

If the court rules that Kasab is a minor, then his case
would be referred to a Juvenile court for trial. Under the
Juvenile Justice Act, the maximum punishment is three years
if an accused is found guilty.

But if the court decides otherwise, Kasab will have to
face the trial in the special court. If he is found guilty, he
faces punishment ranging from life imprisonment to death
penalty for murder and other charges.

Kasab is charged with killing 166 persons and injuring
many others by opening fire indiscriminately along with nine
suspected members of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) at important places
in Mumbai on November 26 last year.

Along with him, two others, Faheem Ansari and Saubbudin,
are also facing trial. The duo are charged with conducting a
recce of target spots of terror attack and preparing maps to
show their locations. These maps were allegedly passed on to
LeT conspirators who struck Mumbai with their evil designs.

The prosecution has already filed charge sheet against
Kasab and other two accused. It has also submitted charges
proposed to be framed against them.

The charges may be framed after the court gives a ruling
on Kasab's age.

The prosecution has told the court that it might examine
100 witnesses to prove the charges against Kasab and others.
Among them are five officers of US' Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) and forensic experts from abroad. PTI SVS
RAI