Mala mahit nahin: Kasab shows he knows the language

On Wednesday,in the special sessions court where he is replying to charges,he started speaking in Marathi after special judge M L Tahaliyani asked him question related to a match between a slain terrorist’s DNA samples and the sweat on articles seized from various places. Whatever little he spoke,he pronounced correctly.

His first “Mahit nahin” caught journalists and officers by surprise. Kasab appeared to sense that he had struck the right chord and continued in Marathi. With one question,though,the Marathi reply was inaudible to the judge,who sought a clarification. Kasab clarified in Hindi: “Pata nahin” (don’t know).

The questions were about telephonic intercepts of the slain terrorists and their handlers in Pakistan. When seized SIM cards were mentioned,Kasab claimed Nokia had fabricated evidence at the behest of the Mumbai police.

The prosecution continued to tender evidence in the form of affidavits even after having said its case is closed. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam moved an application to move three affidavits and the court asked the defence if it has any objection.

In the Bombay High Court,a petition by 26/11 co-accused Fahim Ansari for a retrial was dismissed. He said he does not expect justice from Tahaliyani but the High Court found his petition malafide with an intention to delay the trial. Co-accused,Sabahuddin Ahmed,too,had moved the High Court seeking that the judge be changed; a decision is likely on Thursday.