Mumbai: Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani gunman of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes to be captured alive, might have to forgo Rs 5,800 seized from him by police at the time of his arrest.
Kasab, charged with killing 166 people and injuring many more during the terror attacks, was overpowered and arrested on the night of November 26, 2008, at Girgaum Chowpatty after an encounter with the police.
An injured Kasab was rushed to hospital where police recovered Rs 5,800 from his pocket.
The money was deposited in the trial court and kept as Muddamal (evidence).
According to the prosecution, all the ten terrorists who came from Pakistan had been given about Rs 5000 each by their Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) handlers, should they need it for food and stay.
A total of nearly Rs 50,000 was seized from Ajmal Kasab and the nine slain terrorists, according to crime branch sources. This amount was deposited in the court as evidence because currency notes had blood stains on them and were sent to forensic laboratories for scientific tests.
Normally, money seized from an accused is returned to the person concerned if it is not kept as evidence in the court.
In case the money of an accused is kept as evidence before the court and he (accused) is convicted, the amount is withheld until his appeal in decided in a Higher Court.
If the High Court or the Supreme Court confirms the conviction of an accused then this money is forfeited and deposited in government treasury, sources in crime branch said.
During trial, Kasab had demanded that the money be returned to him but the court explained to him that it was kept as evidence and may be given to him on the conclusion of the case.
Kasab, however, did not inform the court why he needed the money. Undertrials are allowed to keep some money for buying essential articles from prison canteen like edibles and toiletries. Maybe Kasab wanted money for that, sources said.
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