Krithika ✨

The Cop who interrogated Ajmal Kasab Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria describes how he dealt with the only fidayeen (member of an Islamist suicide squad) caught alive on 26/11/2008, Ajmal Kasab. Rakesh Maria says, that he was so angry at the series of attacks in which 170+ people died, his first reaction was - this guy deserves to be encountered. But, of course, being the only terrorist to have been caught alive that day, he was the only lead they had, to get to the masterminds of the attack - the only source of evidence to negate allegations by the Congress that the attacks had been planned by "saffron terrorists". In fact, for the entire period that Kasab was in prison, he was accorded top security for fear that he might be poisoned. The Commissioner himself tasted the food brought in. Many times, the prisoner was given the water he brought for himself from home. Commissioner Rakesh Maria found from Kasab's dialect that he belonged to the Punjab province of Pakistan. Maria himself being a Punjabi, rang up his father-in-law who was a Hindu who migrated from Undivided Punjab. He learnt about the landmarks and locales and about the general demographics. Armed with the basic background info, he met Kasab. He spoke to Kasab in Punjabi. For Kasab, speaking to the Commissioner was a new experience. Until then, every cop who dealt with him, had been hostile and abusive. Here was someone who not only spoke Punjabi, but also treated him unlike other cops. The "Good cop" role played by Maria paid off. Kasab opened up to him and started divulging information. During the chat, he found out that the terrorist was close to his mother. He told Kasab he would make arrangements so that he could speak to his mother on phone. Once Kasab let down his guard, Maria questioned him about the motive behind gunning down innocent people. Kasab's reply. In true Jihadi fashion, Kasab replied that the Moulvi at his madrasa had taught him that those who kill Kaafirs would go to Jannat. That after death, their bodies would emanate unearthly fragrance and heavenly glow. At this, Maria took him on a trip to the morgue where the bodies of fellow fidayeen had been stored. The copses were badly mutilated, some with eyes blown out and some missing limbs. The bodies had started decomposing and stank to high heavens. Kasab saw for himself that the Kuran held out empty promises for the Shaheed. Another of the teachings that had incited Kasab was - how Muslims in India were being persecuted by not being allowed to offer Namaaz or erect mosques. But Maria took him around the city and showed him numerous mosques where Muslims prayed without any fear. From his prison room also, Kasab could hear the azaan multiple times a day. All these revelations mellowed down the hardcore criminal. He gave the Commissioner all information he had about his handlers in Pakistan.