The court, popularly known as 'Qilla Court', was designed by John Adams and built by the British in 1888; it is also a depressing place to be in, is unclean with old furniture, huge life-sized portraits with layers of dust covering them, old fans, lamps and ceilings that are not replaced or brightened. No one seems to have thought of doing something about the grand old furniture and paintings since 1947. The irony is that such an antiquated court will witness the filing of the chargesheet that was investigated with the most modern techniques. It is being prepared with the help of the United States, Germany, France and Israel.
It will run into more than 10,000 pages all of which may not have new information but will have very convincing evidence of the involvement of elements from Pakistan in the Mumbai terror attacks.
The chargesheet was slated to be filed in court number 37 of the additional metropolitan magistrate Srimangla but since he is on leave the chargesheet will be filed in court number 19, before additional metropolitan magistrate M J Mirza.
The Mumbai terror attack case is a turning point in moulding the public debate in India over the issue of terrorism, but a visit to the lower courts and the problems and lack of resources they face show that the justice delivery system is unlikely to see any major changes in spite of the positive debate the terror attacks were able to generate.
More than two dozen journalists are waiting for Mumbai Crime Branch officials and public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to arrive in the ancient court that refuses to change.
There is speculation about presenting Kasab, the lone surviving accused, in the court, but the relaxed state of security around the court shows that Kasab is unlikely to be brought in.
