26/11: SC rejects Ajmal Kasab's plea, upholds death
The Supreme Court has upheld death penalty for 26/11 Mumbai attacks convict Ajmal Kasab. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab is the lone Pakistani terrorist captured alive in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He was granted death penalty for his role in the attacks that left 166 people dead.
August 29, 2012 / 17:59 IST
The Supreme Court has upheld death penalty for 26/11 Mumbai attacks convict Ajmal Kasab. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab is the lone Pakistani terrorist captured alive in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He was sentenced to death for his role in the attacks that left 166 people dead by a special court in Mumbai on May 6, 2010.
The apex court dismissed all the arguments on behalf of Kasab. The Supreme Court, in its judgement said that Kasab waged a war against India and has charged him with killing people.Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam welcomed the judgement and said that he was waiting for the day when Kasab would be hanged. "I'm satisfied that the punishment to Kasab stays. I welcome this important judgement," Nikam said. Kasab had challenged the sentence in the highest court of appeal early this year. The apex court that conducted a marathon hearing in the case for two months and reserved its verdict in the case in April, will pronounce whether it will be death for Kasab. In May 2010, a trial court had sentenced the Pakistani national to death, an order upheld by the Bombay High Court in October 2011.Kasab, who was not represented by a counsel at the trial and the appealate stages in the Bombay High Court appealed to the Supreme Court that he was not given a free and fair trial in the case. In his appeal, he also said he was brainwashed into committing the crime in the name of 'God'. Kasab said he did not deserve capital punishment because of his young age.Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, who was asked to defend Kasab, had told a Bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam that he was not a part of the larger conspiracy for waging a war against the nation.Even as Kasab's legal battle has continued for the last four years, the cost of keeping him alive proved to be a burden on the state exchequer.So far the cost of keeping Kasab in his cell has proved to be Rs 25 crore. The high security cell at Mumbai's Arthur Road jail costs Rs 5.25 crore. Rs 19 crore has been spent by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police for security. Salaries to the policemen protecting Kasab adds up to Rs 1.23 crore.Kasab's medical expenses have cost Rs 28,000 and his food came up to Rs 35,000. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
