This Article is From Jul 23, 2009

Trial in 26/11 to continue; Kasab's plea a part of evidence

Trial in 26/11 to continue; Kasab's plea a part of evidence
Mumbai:

A special court in Mumbai has said that the trial in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case will continue, and terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab's guilty plea will become a part of the evidence.

The verdict was slated to be out on Thursday on the guilty plea of Kasab.

Meanwhile, Kasab's lawyer Abbas Kazmi has said that he wants to be excused from the 26/11 case since Kasab has no confidence in him. The judge asked Kasab to sort out the matter with his lawyer.

Over the past three days, Kasab has confessed to his involvement in the 26/11 attacks and has stuck to his stand that his statement was given voluntarily and "under no pressure''.

On Wednesday, he went so far as to say that he is ready to be hanged.

Several legal experts has said that if the judge accepted Kasab's guilty plea, it could be the end of what could otherwise have been a lengthy trial.

However, some other experts said there were two other co-accused - Fahim Ansari and Sahabuddin Ahmed - in the same trial and their cases would also have to be considered by the judge when he takes any decision on Kasab's statement.

But the prosecution said it could not entirely accept or reject Kasab's guilty plea.

The prosecution's argument was that there were several contradictions in Kasab's earlier confession and his present statement.

The defence, however, argued that the prosecution had to accept or reject Kasab's statement in its entirety.

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