It was a rope weaved by skilled prisoners of Buxar central jail in south-central Bihar that served as the noose for hanging Ajmal Kasab.

Though no specific demand was made to Buxar prison authorities for the noose for Kasab, sources said a rope made available earlier from the jail was used for hanging the terrorist.

“The rope was supplied in anticipation of the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack death row convict Afzal Guru. But with Guru’s hanging deferred, this rope was used to hang Kasab,” said a source who knows about the supply of the rope. “About five years back, the Tihar jail in New Delhi had placed the demand for the rope.”

Another source added, “At that time, the then deputy superintendent of Tihar jail, Anjani Kumar, had visited Buxar jail and purchased the Manila rope costing Rs. 675.”

Buxar prison authorities were unwilling to be quoted on the matter.

Buxar prison is the only one in north India to have expertise in weaving the finest ropes for execution. Usually, 10 to 15 prisoners are deputed for crafting ropes for different purposes.

A noose, however, is never crafted and kept as routine affair. It is readied only after the jail receives a demand from any prison or the government.