Documentary featuring Qasab's confession aired in UK leaves Mumbai police red faced; decide on stricter rules for films related to the 26/11 attacks
Documentary featuring Qasab's confession aired in UK leaves Mumbai police red faced; decide on stricter rules for films related to the 26/11 attacks
Once bitten, twice shy. The Mumbai police are now treading with caution with documentary makers after a recently aired documentary on the 26/11 terror attacks left them red faced.
Terror in Mumbai (see box) made by British filmmaker Dan Reed was aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on July 1. It included footage of the attacks' lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Amir Qasab's confession.
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In order to prevent any further gaffe, the cops have decided that anyone who wants to make a documentary on 26/11 will have to submit a written consent to agreed terms and conditions.
He said, "It's unfortunate that the agreement was only verbal, but we can now at least ensure that such incidents don't take place again.
It is unfair that Qasab's confessional statement is on air before the court has given its verdict."
What agreement?
However, when contacted, Reed maintained that there was never any understanding, verbal or otherwise, about the footage.
"This material was not released to us by the Mumbai police. My documentary has been screened in the UK only. Channel 4 websites carrying the material are not accessible from India.
Channel 4 has also blocked the posting of the film on YouTube.
Therefore, it will be difficult to argue that my documentary has had any material impact on court proceedings in India in the same way that Indian television is not subject to UK broadcasting restrictions," Reed explained in an e-mail.
He added, "My documentary will help foster political will for coordinated, effective action to protect our people. I believe this is also the aim of the Mumbai police."
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Joint Commissioner (Crime) Rakesh Maria, who was interviewed for the documentary refused to comment. "I cannot say anything while the matter is in court," he said.
The Documentary
The documentary is an account of what transpired during the November terror attacks.
Apart from featuring taped conversations between the terrorists and their handlers in Pakistan, it also contains interviews of victims and members of the Mumbai police force.
A significant portion of the documentary shows taped footage from Qasab's interrogation by the police.
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