Kazmi asked for an Urdu translation of the chargesheet, saying the accused could not understand any other language and therefore would not be in a position to give instructions to him regarding his defence in the trial. Opposing Kasab's plea, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said there was no provision in law to provide the chargesheet in the language understood by the accused. The official language of the court, decided by the Government of Maharashtra through a circular on July 23, 1998, was Marathi.

Copies of the chargesheet in English and Marathi were already provided to the accused, he said. This is the second time Kasab pleading for an Urdu translation of the chargesheet.

Earlier, he made a similar request to a magistrate (before whom he was produced for remand) but the court had rejected his plea. In another development, co-accused Sabaudin Ahmed filed an application, alleging that Crime Branch police had used third degree methods to "torture" him during his arrest earlier. The application was filed by his lawyer Ejaz Naqvi who could not satisfy the court's query as to why he was making a grievance after a considerable lapse of time particularly when the accused had the opportunity earlier to tell the court.

Sabauddin's application also alleged that FBI slueths, James and Mike, had interrogated him when he was in the custody of Crime Branch. The accused demanded that the FBI officers be arrested as they had no authority to grill him.

Judge M L Tahilyani asked Investigating Officer Ramesh Mahale to file a reply to these allegations. In another application, Sabauddin urged for return of his belongings at the time of his arrest. The court has asked the investigating officer to file a reply on this plea also.

... contd.