Maharashtra has spent Rs 16 crore on Kasab so far

 MUMBAI: Ajmal Amir Kasab, the Pakistani gunman who unleashed terror in the city along with his nine associates, is still bleeding state coffers three years after he killed more than 100 people on November 26, 2008.

The state home department has since spent Rs 16.17 crore on accommodating the terrorist at the Arthur Road jail, including constructing a special cell, deploying forces from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and on his safety, food and medical treatment.

The expenditure does not include legal fees paid to the special public prosecutor and his team. The state is taking a stock of Kasab’s expenses in the wake of the third anniversary of the 26/11 attacks.

“So far, there are no changes in the way we are going to treat him in the future. We continue to spend on Kasab since his security is a prime concern. To ensure adequate healthcare, we incurred a treatment cost of Rs 26,953 since 2008,” said an official from the state home department.

5.3 crore spent on Kasab’s special cell

Ten terrorists had attacked various locations in the city on 26/11, killing more than 100 people and injuring several more. While Kasab was caught alive, the others were gunned down by the police. After the trial in a special court, sessions court judge M L Tahilyani sentenced Kasab to death.

The order was upheld by the high court on February 21, 2011. Since then, the state has been ensuring that in the process of giving him a fair trial, Kasab gets food, accommodation and adequate medical facility.

So far, Rs 5.29 crore has been spent on setting up a special cell for Kasab. The expenditure on the deployment of ITBP has been Rs 10.87 crore; Rs 27,520 has been spent on food and Rs 26,953 on medicines. “The cost of food has been steadily rising but we are able to keep it roughly about Rs 25 per day,” said the official.

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