Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) For the second time in less than three weeks, Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist captured during the Nov 26 Mumbai attacks, Friday again made a plea to confess to all charges levelled against him, but later backtracked, a top legal official said.
Soon after a witness was examined this afternoon, Kasab stood up and told Special Judge M.L. Tahilyani that he wanted to confess to all the charges against him, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

At this, Tahilyani asked Kasab whether he was aware of the nature of charges against him.

A confused Kasab said he was not aware, but reiterated that he wanted to plead guilty to all the charges against him.

However, Nikam and Kasab’s government appointed lawyer S.G. Abbas Kazmi intervened and requested the Special Judge to continue with the proceedings.

Undeterred, Kasab insisted on his plea to which Tahilyani asked him to consult Kazmi before having his say in the court. Even as the media gathered in full strength in the afternoon session, Tahilyani asked Kasab to speak whatever he wanted.

Keeping his head down and smiling, Kasab said he had nothing to speak. When Tahilyani asked him about his plea in the morning session, Kasab merely replied: “just like that, Sir.” (Aise hi, Sir)

On July 20, Kasab had made a detailed ‘confession’ to his crimes before the Special Court. Two days later, Kasab had pleaded that he wanted to be hanged. Later, his confession was taken on the record by the Special Court.

In his confession, he had given a chilling blow-by-blow account of his role in the 26/11 terror attacks which left over 170 people dead.