MUMBAI: Indian experts have declared that the only surviving suspect in last year’s Mumbai terrorist attacks is over 20 years old. Contradicting his claim he was a minor at the time of the assault, which would allow him to escape the death penalty, a panel of four doctors from the J.J. Hospital in Mumbai yesterday presented a medical report of Amir Ajmal Qasab before the special court of Judge M.I. Tahiliyani, ruling that Qasab is more than 20 years old.
Qasab’s lawyer Abbas Kazmi would today cross-examine witnesses in this matter, after which the court would issue a ruling as to whether Qasab was a minor or not.
The Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) and Medical Records Assistant (MRA) have also been summoned by the court to be present tomorrow for the cross-examination.
Kazmi, after his appointment as the defense lawyer for Qasab by the special court, had argued and claimed that Qasab was a juvenile and that his age was 17 years at the time of assault. He had also demanded that since Qasab’s age was less than 18 years and he being a minor, his case should be heard before a juvenile court.
The special court then set up a panel of four doctors from Forensic Science Department of the J.J. Hospital to determine Qasab’s age. The experts made their assessment based on a dental examination and X-rays of his elbow, chest, wrists, pelvis and shoulder.
After being arrested on Nov. 26 night following the terror attacks, Qasab was taken to the Nair hospital for medical examination.
