Jundal in jail: dal, roti and prayer

A vegetarian by choice, quiet, non-fussy and very particular about praying five times a day - this is how Delhi Police sources describe Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal. Jatin Anand reports.

A vegetarian by choice, quiet, non-fussy and very particular about praying five times a day - this is how Delhi Police sources describe Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, the suspected 26/11 handler being interrogated by the special cell.

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A day before his custody ends, the alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, according to sources, remained as nonchalant as he has been since being brought from Riyadh on June 21.

"Jundal gets up around 5 or 6am every day and offers prayers before touching even a glass of water or breakfast. Then he mostly stares into space until his interrogation begins around noon," an officer said.

After five to seven hours of grilling, during which he answers only specific queries, and namaz breaks, Jundal retires after a meal of roti, dal and rice - but only around midnight.

His bedtime has remained constant throughout his stay at the special cell office. So has his gaze - "piercing, bloodshot and determined".