16 April,2009 07:59 AM IST | | Ketan Ranga
Qasab's constant whispering in the middle of court proceedings irks judge M L Tahiliyani
The world watched as the 26/11 trial began yesterday at the Arthur Road jail. Shortly after 11.30 am, Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was produced before the special court.
Clad in a grey tee, a dark blue tracksuit and sporting a trimmed beard, Qasab appeared relaxed when he entered the courtroom. Two other accused in the case, Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, were the next to arrive. Qasab glanced curiously at the 70-odd reporters present in the courtroom and smiled and giggled through most of the proceedings. There seemed no sign of remorse on his face.
In the midst of the proceedings, he even began chatting with Ansari, who was seated next to him. Miffed with Qasab's constant whispers, special court judge M L Tahiliyaniu00a0 told him, "Baat nahin karna. Agar baat karna hain, toh mujhse pooch ke karna." (Don't talk; if you want to talk, take my permission).
Meanwhile, the judge had another problem to tackle that of advocate Anjali Waghmare who was to represent Qasab. She was dismissed as Qasab's lawyer on the grounds of professional misconduct, as she was defending a witness in the 26/11 case.u00a0u00a0u00a0
While talking to Waghmare, Tahiliyaniu00a0 turned to Qasab and asked "Samajh main aa raha hain kuch?" (Are you following our conversation?). To this the terrorist shook his head, and said nahin.
Qasab has to pay for newspapers
Qasab complained to the judge that he was not allowed to read newspapers in jail. The judge told him to sort out the issue with jail superintendent Swati Sathe.
Sathe told Qasab that according to the jail manual, he had to pay for the newspapers. This reminded Qasab that he had Rs 5,400 on him at the time of the attack. However, the magistrate told him that the money was in judicial custody and could not be used. Finally, the judge asked Sathe to take a decision on the matter.
The Mumbai police had recovered Rs 5,400 in Indian currency from Qasab at the time of his arrest.
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