Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab, sentenced to death for killing 166 people in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been handed over a copy of the judgement by the jail authorities.
Kasab was given a copy of the judgement yesterday and he kept it with himself in the cell, jail sources said today.
According to the jail manual, a convict can appeal to the high court by writing a letter within two months of receiving the judgement.
At this stage, Kasab does not need a lawyer and he may inform the jail authorities that he intends to appeal against his conviction by writing a letter.
The jail authorities would in turn submit his petition (letter) to the Bombay High Court in a prescribed format. When the high court hears the appeal, Kasab can engage a lawyer of his choice or, if he cannot afford to do so, the court may on his behalf appoint a lawyer.
The trial court would also forward to the high court a copy of the judgement along with documents and affidavits of witnesses for confirmation of death sentence awarded to Kasab. The process is on and would be completed soon, sources said.
The government can also file an appeal against the judgement which acquitted two accused Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed.
Kasab's appeal, confirmation of death sentence awarded to him and the government's appeal would be heard by the high court simultaneously.
During the trial, Kasab was given legal aid by the court which appointed two lawyers to defend him.
Kasab continues to be in solitary confinement in the Arthur Road central jail where he is guarded round-the-clock by Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
The lone surviving 26/11 gunman has been put up in a bomb and bullet proof cell and his movements are watched through CCTV cameras installed in the jail.
He spends most of the time reading story books in Urdu and Quran. Kasab offers namaz (prayers) five times a day and speaks to the guards occasionally when he feels lonely, the sources said.