Bombay HC confirms death for Kasab

Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice R.V. More of the Bombay High Court have upheld the death penalty of Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab (pictured right), for the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai..Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice R.V. More of the Bombay High Court have upheld the death penalty of Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab (pictured right), for the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai..The High Court has rejected Kasab’s appeal against his conviction and death sentence. Media reports state, the judges dismissed the appeal by Kasab over his role in the attacks that killed 166 and injured more than 300 people..Speaking with Bar & Bench on the High Court verdict, criminal lawyer and practicing advocate of the Supreme Court Madhav Khurana said, “The verdict in Ajmal Kasab’s case of the Bombay High Court was an expected decision. I personally feel, relief if any that Kasab is looking for will be at the Supreme Court only”..Kasab was given death penalty by a Trial Court on May 6, 2010. We understand that according to law, Kasab’s death sentence had to be confirmed by a High Court, under Section 366 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Bombay High Court reviewed the facts of the case, the law behind it and also Kasab’s defence was allowed to raise arguments during the appeal process..The NDTV quoting the judges said, Kasab was directly responsible for seven deaths during 26/11. Among them were three senior policemen who died in the line of duty. Hemant Karkare who was the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Chief was shot outside Cama Hospital along with Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ashok Kamte and Encounter Specialist Vijay Salaska. Kasab’s lawyers argued that the death sentence should not apply because of his young age, but the judges said, “The diabolical and brutal nature of the crime over-rides the age factor”. The Court also rejected the argument that a death sentence would turn Kasab into a martyr and inspire other terrorists..Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam represented the State along with Additional Public Prosecutor Shahajirao Shinde..Kasab was represented by criminal lawyers Amin Solkar and Farhana Shah appointed by the Maharashtra State Legal Aid Services Authority (MSLASA)..The ET stated that Kasab told his lawyer Farhana Shah, that he would hear the verdict through video conference..The High Court also dismissed the State’s appeal against the lower court’s decision to acquit two Indian nationals, Fahim Ansari and Mohammad Sabahuddin who were accused of providing hand-drawn maps to 10 Islamist gunmen. Both Ansari and Sabahuddin, were represented by Advocates Shahid Azmi and Ejaz Naqvi respectively..Meanwhile, in Pakistan an Anti-Terror Court has adjourned the trial of seven suspects, including LeT Commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack case to February 26, after prosecutors sought more time for the Lahore High Court to decide a related petition..A copy of the judgment is available here.