20 April,2009 05:37 PM IST | | PTI
Prime accused and lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, on Monday departed from his earlier stand, saying he could not understand the proceedings of the court conducted in English.
"Except for words ... Qasab and Pakistan .... I cannot understand what the prosecutor is telling the court," accused Qasab told Judge ML Tahilyani.
Twice earlier, Qasab had told the court that he could follow the proceedings and also that he could understand English. But, today, he took a different stand.
When Qasab was produced before the court, he looked dull and sat with folded hands without displaying any feelings or emotions.
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This prompted the judge to have a dialogue with him.
Judge: Tumhari problem kya hai? (what is your problem?)
Qasab: Meri problem yeh hai ki kuch bhi samajhnmein nahin aata (My problem is that I cannot understand anything)
Judge: Kyun? (Why?)
Qasab: Sirf Qasab aur Pakistan yehi hi sunayi deta hai (I can hear only Qasab and Pakistan, the rest I cannot follow) Hindi mein ho jai to acha hoga (it will be fine if proceedings are conducted in Hindi).
Judge: Tumhari tabhiyat to thik hai? (Are you all right?)
At this juncture Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam intervened to say Qasab was all right and appeared to be fine. Nikam then continued with his submissions.
