The recent Supreme Court verdict upholding Ajmal Aamir Kasab’s death sentence has presented a new security issue before the state prison authorities, as they may have to shift the terror accused to Pune or Nagpur.
According to state prison authorities, none of the central prisons in Mumbai or Thane have a hangman. “All death row convicts are either taken to the central jail in Yerawada or Nagpur for execution of their death sentence,” said Vinod Lokhande, special inspector general of police, prisons.
Mr Lokhande added that further action on Kasab’s death sentence would only be decided after prison authorities receive a copy of the SCs judgment.
At present, Kasab has been placed in a high security prison at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, and officials said that moving him anywhere would be nothing less then a nightmare from the security point of view.
“We already have specialised teams guarding Kasab inside his high-security cell round the clock. Moving him anywhere would require a lot of manpower, not to mention armoured escorts like the Marksman vehicles in addition to several vehicles filled with commandos. Decision like which route to take and how much security to post along the way would depend on where we ultimately decide to send him,” said a state prisons officer.
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MNS asks Asha not to judge TV show
Age Correspondent
Mumbai, Aug. 30
The film wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Thursday wrote to singer Asha Bhosle and asked her not to be involved with a singing talent show, as it would also host Pakistani singers.
The show, titled Sur Khsetra, will go on air in September on Sahara, as well as Colours. Ms Bhosle will be judging the show along with Pakistani singer Abida Parveen, whose presence is the MNS’ bone of contention.
MNS office bearer, Akhil Chitre, said that the party would alwaysoppose participation of Pakistani nationals in shows in the country, as Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorist strikes against India. “Do they allow our artistes to go there? Our request is that the channels cancel the show, or we would have to protest in the only way that we know,” he said.
Sahara One Media and Entertainment head Boney Kapoor met MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday. “I appreciate their point of view. Our show is a cultural show, and our intent is not to hurt any sentiments,” said Mr Boney Kapoor.