NEW DEHLI: India's Supreme Court on Wednesday confirmed the death sentence handed down to Mohammed Kasab, the lone surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed.
Mohammed Kasab had launched his appeal claiming he had not been given a fair trial.
He was found guilty of charges including waging war against India, murder and terrorist acts, and was given the death penalty in May 2010.
Two Supreme Court judges in New Delhi have heard the appeal of Kasab, who is currently held in a maximum-security prison in Mumbai.
After losing this appeal, Kasab can lodge a final appeal for clemency with the president.
During the November 2008 attacks, heavily armed gunmen stormed targets in Mumbai including luxury hotels, a Jewish centre, a hospital and a bustling train station.
India blames the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant outfit for training, equipping and financing the gunmen with support from "elements" in the Pakistan military.
Kasab initially pleaded not guilty but later confessed, admitting he was one of the gunmen sent by the LeT.
"I was denied a fair trial," Kasab said in a statement when his appeal hearing began in January. "I may be guilty of killing people and carrying out a terrorist act but I am not guilty of waging war against the state."
In 2009, Pakistan charged seven alleged perpetrators behind the attacks but insists it needs more evidence.
The Mumbai attacks horrified India as each development unfolded live on television, and there have been widespread public calls for Kasab's execution.
At the trial, the prosecution produced fingerprint, DNA, eyewitness and TV footage evidence showing Kasab opening fire and throwing grenades at Mumbai's main railway station in the bloodiest episode of the attacks.
Most death sentences in India are commuted to life imprisonment, but convicts can sit on death row for years awaiting a final decision.
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COMMENTS (89)
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With him dies the possibility of convicting JuD leadership for being the masterminds behind the deadly attacks.
@Indian Wisdom: Then let the Pakistan judicial commission cross examine the relevant individuals in Mumbai which they were denied on their last trip to India. Without soild evidence of the involvement of characters like hafiz saeed, this will just go on forever.
@Zaid Hamid: This looks like the original Zaid Hamid earlier we had someone posting under your name he had a good sense of humor, about you the less said the better.
sigh... Amar Singh is going to leave us soon.
@salman: People like you make me hate u and ur religion ....and most importantly ur stinking country ..... day is not far when ur country n countrymen would be destroyed ....n not by us but by themselves...
@santhosh: Our prayers go for our brethren who lost their loved ones in this horrible crime. May God grant the strength and courage to all for moving on with their lives.
@salman: i believe it was false flag operation and some poor guys were framed. There were major loopholes in the evidence which were never addressed to logical conclusion by indian authorities.
Pakis also believe 9/11 was done by Americans themselves. Pakis are too intelligent. Soon they will be blaming RAW for killing Shia and Ahmadi Muslims.
@salman: Your brother said this in January. “I may be guilty of killing people and carrying out a terrorist act but I am not guilty of waging war against the state.”
May i have your attention on the "War", since the inception of both countries.. Pak and India have been fighting for 65 years, as a matter of fact; on the bilitral hatrd, incompitency and self-conciousness of being exalted in the sight of their Westerner Masters, than what these everyday crimes count??... Instand of penalizing "Kasab" OR "Sarbjeet singh", Courts on both sides should punish Presidents and Army Generals of both countries, and should release every person or prisinor who has been "Caught in the Act", believe me no hatred,crime or race of supermacy will ever take place...Because nor Hinduism, neither Islam asks to kill People arround...
This judgement is not against a Pakistani or a muslim. This judgement is against terrorist. This note is important and good enough for civilians to celebrate. Terrorist no matter whatever faith they come from, already gives up his / her religion of belief soon as he / her takes innocent life. So to my Pakistani friends and muslims, this judgment is not against you, but certainly against this cancer of terrorism.
On a day when "eight or more" of your own soldiers met "shahadat" on the hands of these criminals, it is interesting to see comments from Pakistanis denying that there are any terrorists come from your "Land of the Pure". What religion is it that you guys practice that allows you to be so completely amoral? Do not call it Islam, because no Muslims I know accept Pakistani behavior as islamic. Do you have any conscience? Are you so ignorant that you can not see where it is taking you? Leave aside Kafir nations, do you ever wonder why even Islamic countries wont give you visas, except to come as slaves to do menial jobs?
Kill that guy . I hope he has done his tauba else in this world we cant kill him more than once bt then in the aakkhirat, he may very well get what he deserves unless he is forgiven. One never knows
well done india we pakhtoons are with you. we have been the victim of terrorism so killing any innocent civilians is just like killing whole humanity.. hats off to the indian judiciary for giving justice for the killing of innocent civilians it is clear that extremism should be stopped,
The masterminds and wire pullers of the Mumbai carnage have achieved their goals far far higher then their planned expectations. With the very slow judicial process of action against the terrorists, the Indian judges have put the whole nation in a constant suffering of psychological terror which is in the meantime even more drastic then the brutal massacre of Mumbai.
@kaalchakra:
Please rest assured Mr. Ajmal Kasab will be hanged, if at all he actually is, with much more compassion and grace than what was the fate of your most popular leader, Mr. Z. A. Bhutto.
@salman: You represent perfect Pakistani mind which has led this beautiful (once was) into the current mess. Read articles dorm dawn where it is clearly mentioned that Kasab is Pakistani national. http://dawn.com/2012/08/29/kasab-the-mumbai-gunman-awaiting-hanging/ Now please don't give reason that dawn is also part of conspiracy theory.
Parse all the words you want but killing innocent people in a terrorist attack warrants the death penalty -- by your own admission your guilty of capital crimes and the death penalty seems appropriate.
Great News indeed. Now waiting to hear same about culprits of attack on Samjhota Express, that is Indian Army Colonel & his fellows.
@Renegade:
Oh! you mean the fake wiki leaks from Pakistan?
It is sad to see the comments from people who profess to practice the "religion of peace". Have some shame and do not degrade islam.
If the man is guilty, hang him, but not through a kangaroo process enacted by kangaroo courts rushing blindly with predetermined outcomes and no evidence. When the justice system of a land begins to be run differently for different religious groups then Allah's qahar on the Pharaohs and zalims lording over the land cannot be far behind. People will continue to fight for justice. Nature cannot run any other way. Instead of implicating innocent men, India would be better off removing the root causes that force hopeful young people to give up all hope and sacrifice their young lives.
Sorry I don't want him to be hanged. He came to Mumbai to kill and die. His bigger punishment in my view would be to live and rot in Indian jail forever.
@goose
Sarabjit has been convicted in Pakistani courts for acts of terrorism, which include causing bomb blasts in Lahore.
Kasab must not be hanged. He is a fishbone stuck in Pakistan's throat.
@Khan of Dir: so you accept that he is from your country?
Here is a message from a friend of Pakistan and all those who must live there.
If you want your country to be free of TERRORISM come out on the roads to CELEBRATE this verdict and shout at the top your voice SHAME, SHAME, SHAME to those who sent Ajmal Kasab to MUMBAI.
If you want your courts to convict the terrorists that are killing you daily, CELEBRATE this verdict. Take out processions and shout loudly INDIAN SUPREME COURT ZINDABAD, ZINDABAD.
If you want to be a democratic country, take out processions to demand ACTION against those who planned the Mumbai attacks, (YOU KNOW THEIR NAMES), and force your Government to act.
If you want to be FREE OF TERRORISM, protest against any terrorist activity in your own country.
@Goose: please tell me, where did i say that kasab is innocent. i am saying hes just being used as a pawn in this game, hes punishable, i have no sympathies for him at all. But i am sorry if i don't believe in this Indian version of story. its a baseless propaganda against Pakistani state, your evidence are not logical and consisting. Our courts have already rejected them.
@mano i don't have a sick mind i only have an alternative opinion about this whole incident. i am not the one rejoicing the loss of innocent lives, in fact i feel very sorry for them as i already mentioned in my previous comment. if you want to see sick minds go to TOI comments section and check how Indians show their inherent hatred towards Muslims (even their own) and celebrate every bomb blast/killing of innocent people in Pakistan.
@Goose Oh my lad!!! Just open your eyes!!! Don't just speak whatever you like. Our version says he was a spy & responsible for Multiple bombings across Pakistan. Don't live in a state of denial. Check the facts before you point your fingers at anybody. And you should shame on yourself for treating two criminals in a different way. I neither have sympathy for Ajmal Kasab nor for Sarbjeet Singh. Both should be hanged.
Next is the turn of those in Pakistan who supported them. Hafiz Saeed, the clock is ticking.
@salman: 'I may be guilty of killing people and carrying out a terrorist act but I am not guilty of waging war against the state.”Apparently you did not read the full article.Kasab has admitted that he has killed innocent people.
I think message given by film "Ek tha Tigar" is best. Citizens of 2 countries demand for it. They don't take any interest in the role of Intelligence agencies of India or Pakistan; they want prosperity and peace across the border.
may we be able to employee some Indian Judges in our bunch of judiciary
as our ex - CJ LHC offered to defend case against Mumtaz Qadri (a daylight killer of Salman Taseer)
After he is hanged his remains should be put in a box marked "Hazardous Waste" and put in the ocean next to OBL or given to the Pakistani Embassy in Delhi.
Kasab got what he deserved , This man was responsible for killing innocent people regardless of their nationality and religion, I am a Pakistani Muslim and strongly believe that anyone killed unjustly , regardless of his religion and nationality is wrong.
@Top Cat: @salman: Well you guys should be given medals for being so smart that you can always manufacture some warped reallity even if the truth stares you in the face. No wonder Pakistan is where it is right now. A convicted terrorist where the govt. of Pakistan agrees he was a Pakistani national but you guys will continue to keep your heads in the sand and find a conspiracy in everything.
Pakistan is doomed with people like you and it has unfortunately had leaders with your kind of mentality in the past. I hope for Pakistans sake that people like you are a minority but unfortunately I dont think thats the case.
"Mohammed Kasab had launched his appeal claiming he had not been given a fair trial." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And Mr Kasab gave a fair trial to those Indians that he shot dead ?
@Khan of Dir: "Please hang him over if he was really involved n bombay attack we w’l be happy coz we can send you the Dead body of the terrorist Surbjeet by the next day." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ India did not send the 90000 Pakistani soldiers in body bags that surrendered at Dhaka at 1971. Perhaps thats what should have been befitting.
@Another Indian: You mean you see the difference now?? Wow you have a good vision.
@goose:
you"re wasting your time mate. cant you see that nothing you say to salman will ever change his mind. he only sees what he wants to...
@Jenai dau: Not sure if you are saying.... Indians never ate biryani before? Kasab used to threw a lot of tantrums in Jail,wanted Biryani for Lunch & dinner.
@goose: No use educating the uneducated.
@Yuri Kondratyuk: I expect a high level committee under the leadership of Madam Hina Rabbani as it has been done recently for Dr Arifa. In her case conviction was in the USA.
@ Indian Wsidom: Would you please stay close to the Court hearing and the verdict instead of opening a new debate. All know that lots of Indian Spies are hiding in Pakistan and also operating from Afghanistan.
@ Zaid Hamid:
Please comment on the Court hearing and the verdict instead of Indians.
@Zaid Hamid: And we could not have expected anything but this comment from you Zaid sb.
As a Pakistani, I support this decision - by killing innocents he has only disgraced his kind.
Good riddance of bad rubbish...wish justice comes to all...
@Saim Baig: the crime is the same????????????? really, please educate me as to Sarabjeet's crimes - even the Pakistani version claims he spied for India - don't you understand the difference between a spy who gathers information for a government (and there's no evidence that that's even true in Sarabjeet's case) and a terrorist who kills innocents - children, women and men, for a 'cause' he imagines and supports.
Shame on you Pakistanis - openly advocating support for a known terrorist caught live on camera shooting at innocents indiscriminately at a railway station - in Hindi there's a saying - a crow can never be a vegetarian - I guess the metaphor really applies to Pakistanis - they can never stop supporting and glorifying the most depraved forms of violent, terrorist behaviour from their own people against their perceived enemies....but what goes around, comes around...I wonder what the latest Karachi and Balochistan news is for today?????
@rahul: they will be, soon; you think they've learned after the OBL episode?
@Khan of Dir: i thought Sarabjeet is convicted of being an Indian spy by Pakistan; when did he become a terrorist? Or maybe you need to go back to school to understand the difference between the two, if Sarabjeet was ever even a spy that is.
@salman: You are aware that there is real CCTV video footage showing Kasab with a gun firing indiscriminately at people on the platform at a Mumbai railway station, aren't you? And that the footage has been shown on all TV channels repeatedly so all of us have seen this face and this body spraying bullets on innocent people. And that he was captured as he and his companions attacked the vehicle carrying Mumbai's top police brass. or does any of this not matter to your prejudiced, bigoted mind?
Good riddance. He and his other cohorts deserve this. In fact if possible should be hanged 100 times together with other religious leaders who promote this killing spree.
@Haris Chaudhry: first of all, i think you are an Indian with false name, if you are Pakistani then you are massively subjected to Indian propaganda. Pakistani court have rejected all these theory due to lack of evidence.
@Pan Mat: i believe it was false flag operation and some poor guys were framed. There were major loopholes in the evidence which were never addressed to logical conclusion by indian authorities.
He should have been awarded life imprisonment with torture from time to time. Death penalty is of no use to someone who is ready to die in the name of Allah. These stupid prosecuting lawyers don't even understand this simple logic - "Don't punish the culprit in the way he doesn't fear"
What on earth biryani has to do with this man,maybe these people never ate biryani before,you guys are missing the best thing in the world.its delicious.
Well, no Pakistani prisoner comes out alive of Indian jails anyway. It's only us foolish Pakistanis trying to appease the idiot indians by releasing their prisoners in one piece. But then again, i wonder if he is a Pakistani to begin with. Ha ha ha... my thoughts for the innocent lives lost in mumbai though.
@salman - if pakistan continue to leave in careless deniial world surely they will hunt their own people .
The persons lost their lives during well staged Mumbai drama are the victims of global politics along with this brainwashed guy.
seems Biryani-time is over.
Should be hanged. On this note i would like to ask my Indian friends not to request Presidential Pardon for Sarbajeet Singh. Crime is same, Punishment should be same as well.!!!
There will be a protest rally by difa-e-pakistan against the decision of the Indian government.
Should be hanged earlier
Why it is making headline news here ? who really cares
@salman: kasab is innocent for you because you have a sick mind.........why dont you watch video of kasab killing innocents which are in youtube.
Great News.......he should be hang publically.
@Zaid Hamid: wat type of justice??? he killed our people. if he had done the same in US UK or GERMANY, pakistan wud have been gutted to war
@salman:
So four and half year of judicial process and the subsequent verdict ....dismissed by your conspiarcy theory without evidence.
Pakistan does have a bright future after all, I would not care to define "bright" in this case!
Go after the big fish. Unless they are dispensed with, Kasab's will reappear at regular intervals.
No issues with the verdict, he is guilty as charged but what about his original Identity, does India has the courage to disclose that or we'll get to ready about it in wikileaks ! ! !
@ salman
You're from Conspiristan?? Sent by Indian Govt. for inciting Pakistanis to hate India so India can find an excuse to attack Pakistan. That is before the poor reputation on public security in 26/11 brings down the govt in next election.
Thanks for solving the enigma, Sherlock Homes
@Yuri Kondratyuk: "I expect some mourning and mass prayers in Pak. After-all, OBL got them too."
Please hang him over if he was really involved n bombay attack we w'l be happy coz we can send you the Dead body of the terrorist Surbjeet by the next day.
Salman says :
Have some respect for human life. Have some shame in burying your head so deep in sand so as to lose the ability to understand that even Pakistani politicians, pak army and even Taliban dont even dispute that Kasab was sent from Okara by our 'fanatical mob" to butcher innocent civilians in India. Even the Pro-establishment Geo news covered that.
Have some shame in knowing that those killed were not Indian army or RSS people but just the ordinary people going about their daily jobs. Innocent boys, girls, pregnant mothers, daily wagers and all.
Show some decency for the sanctity of the human life.
Now that the foot soldier has been dealt with, next up should be the master minds.
One thing is true though.
Kasab is a lucky Pakistani.
In Indian jails, not only did he get the best food, he also experienced VIP treatment, 24 hours power and an opportunity to die in a progressive country.
He will file mercy petition to the President of India and there are 20 other petitions already pending. By the time Kasab time comes, he will be 80 yrs old ripe and ready to die his natural death. But glad justice is served finally.
Perhaps a captured poor Pakistani fisherman used by indian agencies to carry out their false flag operation. Also, respect for those 166 people who lost their lives due to evil design of their own agencies. God may give justice to everyone.
I expect some mourning and mass prayers in Pak. After-all, OBL got them too.
One just cannot expect justice from Indians. Persecutibg the innocents are their forte.
Justice done!!! But what about the real masterminds who are still roaming freely and safely in the streets of Pakistan???? Till even they are brought to justice this will be just half justice made for the victims of the horrible attack.
It took four years and tons of biryani, to pass this verdict. But as they say, better late than never.
Great verdict.
Rot in Hell Kasab for butchering unarmed and innocent civilians. Had he not been captured alive and with clear video footage, he would still be claimed as 'innocent victim' by the taliban and their sympathisers.
Now go after the sponsors that sent him there. They are still at large in our land of purity !
There is nothing to celebrate in one man's death. But, we celebrate our ability to give free and fair trial to everyone. A request to everyone, atleast please stay away from name calling today. This is time introspection for everyone in memory of Mumbai Victims
Jazakullah! Bad deeds don't go unpunished!