It was a long night... I was trying my best to sleep, but actually, I was not able to rest. I had a death warrant of a mass murderer terrorist named Kasab, who was transferred to our prison at pune, just couple of days back. This prison is famous for its capital Punishments, Yarwada Jail Pune. The last capital punishment was given in 1995 of a infamous killer named Auto Shankar. We were aware that this is only jail in Maharastra where a death penalty can be executed. We already have arranged a hangman, a mid age guy, who work as sweeper in the near by area.
It seems very easy to hang some one, just a rope noose,a horizontal crossbeam,which is supported at both ends, a drop platform and a blindfold cloth... and a hangman... No Its not that easy.. To kill some one legally, we need perfection, of each and every element. Like a rope should not broke, Drop platform should be properly functional, and hangman should be a professional, he should not faint, and lastly length of drop should be appropriate. To short will be a cruel tangle and too long may snap the head off.
Kasab was already informed about his hanging, he was under a tightly secured isolated cell. I was being told to tell him about his fate. I was not feeling good or bad when I left from my office to tell him about his death penalty execution. I still remember the genocide in Mumbai, which was committed by him and his fellow mates.Hundreds of people died and several hundred injured. So he knew very well about his fate, when he was caught alive. After 4 long years and all legal process and final denial of forgiveness by the President for his brutal and cruel cold blooded crime, he was shifted secretly to Yarwada Jail, It was a coincidence that Baal Thakray died and whole media was focused on that very incident, so It was easy to transport him, to Yarwada Jail. It was tried best to keep it a secret, but some how the news was leaked to media. But he was safely transferred to Yarwada.
Now on the way to Kasab's Cell, Police chief and a lawyer accompanied me. We reached finally to Kasab's cell. He was sitting on ground and as he watched us through bars,his facial expressions changed for few seconds, he was watching carefully us. Another officer told him to get up. He was looking weak but he came near the bars.
Lawyer :- "You know that your appeal against the death penalty was denied by president.. and you may also know that why you have been taken to this place"
Kasab was silent, he watched at him and then nodded his head in denial.
Lawyer: "You will be hanged till death by tomorrow morning!!".
Facial expressions of Kasab changed instantly to fear.. He was breathing heavily,
Kasab: "Tommorrow!!!..."
Lawyer : "Yes!! it is... Do you have any questions?"
Kasab: "Huh Allah will not forgive me!!!"
Police officer: "You must have thought about that before killing hundred of people, now it is your fate" ... officer was somewhat angry..
Lawyer: "You will be hanged at 7:30 on 21st November"
Kasab now had realized that his death is near, he was looking confused, he asked to lawyer
Kasab: "Have you informed it to my mother and sister?"
Lawer : "Yes, they have been informed by mail and your Govt. have also been informed, but they denied to receive anything"
Kasab repeated: "Please convey to my parents"
He was nervous and was feared, his face was reflecting his reactions.
We left the prison cell and went to the gallows and it was being tested repeatedly, to avoid any accidents or failures. cloth bags equaling the weight of human were tested for drop. After testing lever, rope and noose, the platform and the beam we left to our office.
I went to dormitory around 10 O'clock. It was sleepless night. Got up at 3 O'clock in morning. I went to central hall after taking bath.Other officers, Doctor lawyer and a Maulavi and hangman was also there. Three graves were also dug in the outer campus to hide the identity of Kasab's grave.
Kasab was allowed to take bath, though he had not taken any food in morning. He denied when he was asked about food. He was brought to Doctor for medical checkup around 6:00 O'clock, In presence of officers, he was examined by Doctor. In whole process Kasab was quiet but he was looking in anxiety and fear.
At 7:00 Clock he was brought near to the Gallows. Police officers and chief officers were present at the time. Lawyer read his crimes and the verdict by the court, that why he was being about to hanged. It was the time he was looked in stress, he was saying some silent words during the lawyer was telling him the verdict. He was asked about his last wish.. He said nothing...
Kasab set on earth and read the Namaz.
He was brought to the rope noose at 7:25 AM.
His hands were tied and a black cloth was put on his face by hangman.
At 7:32 sharp.. lever was pulled he was hanged and he was died instantly, he left hanged for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes his Pulse was checked, he was declared dead.
His body was taken down and wrapped in a white cloth.
His body was taken to unknown grave at 8:45 and none of us were allowed and his last rituals were done in anonymous grave.
No one was able to know the same, and I feel it was good for country that anonymity should be maintained.
End of the day I was very tired, I went to my quarter and slept, The task was accomplished, which left me sleepless for whole last night...
**** Note:-
This story is Imagination of author based on various facts in media and news and similar sources and characters are imaginary, only the character named terrorist Kasab is reference to a Amir Azmal Kasab.*****
