The cash-strapped Congress-led Democratic Front government in Maharashtra has been spending well over Rs 2 lakh a day on India's priciest prisoner — Ajmal Kasab — the lone surviving gunman in the worst-ever terror attack on the metropolis on November 26, 2008, reports The Times of India.
"We have no option but to spend such a huge amount for his security. Since Kasab was caught alive, we were able to take the most sensitive criminal case to its logical conclusion," a senior government official told TOI on Tuesday.
Elaborating on the threat perception, the official said, "Since the possibility of an attack on him isn't ruled out, a high level team of sleuths from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police has been deployed at the Arthur Road jail.
In addition, more than half a dozen watch towers have been set up in the jail premises and neighbouring areas. ITBP guards have been deployed exclusively for Kasab's security." Additional police force has been provided for the watch towers and an adequate number of police constables have been deployed in and around the jail premises, the official added.
So far, the government has spent Rs 35 crore on Kasab for creating special infrastructure for his security. "Even the Centre insisted on setting up special infrastructure for protecting Kasab. Security measures taken by the state government were personally monitored by home minister P Chidambaram," he said.
The official said a special high security cell was created to house Kasab in the Arthur Road jail. "The special cell is so powerful that even if there is a direct attack, it will not be damaged. We've taken all possible precautions," he said. Other than the special cell, a special ward has been constructed at the government-run J J Hospital for Kasab's treatment.
"Kasab has a stomach ailment. Earlier, he was being treated at one of the government hospitals in the metropolis. But, it was felt that if ever a need arose to admit him to a hospital, full-proof arrangement should be made. Therefore, we constructed a special prison ward in the J J Hospital. It's also bullet-proof," he said.
On Kasab's current health status, the official said that he is examined by a team of doctors at least once a day. "Doctors examine him within the jail premises and treat him there itself. Once the judicial proceedings are over, the doctors will take a decision on the further course of medical treatment."
