Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has moved a mercy petition before Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, reported The Times of India on Tuesday.
The move comes almost a fortnight after the Indian Supreme Court upheld his death penalty for the Mumbai carnage in which 166 people were killed.
A senior official at Arthur Road Jail said, “We have sent a mercy petition to the president filed by Kasab.” The officer, however, did not reveal as to when the petition was filed by Kasab.
“Kasab was given certified copy of his death sentence confirmation verdict three days ago. One copy was given to him and the other was sent to the Supreme Court with his signature,” the official said.
He added that, “Kasab was told about all procedures and rights he has as a convict, including moving a mercy petition.”
Mohammed Kasab had earlier launched an 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.
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.
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@Malik Abrar: Ask Hafeez Saeed then!
@numbersnumbers: Is Wikileaks some Divine Book that whatever it says, should be accepted as devine law? We do not accept Wikileak as any proof. The real Proof is KASAB himself . And not giving access to him rings bell. Why do not Pakistani Judicial group and Media talk to him? What's the danger? Let the truth come out and let the people decide when the Pakistani Judicial commission gather information and a logical and true evidence come to the people . Wikileaks is No devine book. We reject it and any other information based upon WHO said what. Actual information should be through source of evidence from the accused himself and through cross-questioning. Else If You want us to believe that what you, your media and your one Billion people shout and we should believe it . It is a Big NO. We simply do not trust you , your GOVT. and your Media or any Leaks whether its Wikileaks.If you want to believe that , You go ahead and do it . And for your convenience , why don't you pack up your own Judicial System and take all decisions from Wikileaks. That way you will save a lots of money. Let me tell you that Pakistanis think Kasab is a Fake and is your own Govt. Implant and that's why your Govt. Do not let Pak Judicial commission talk to him. He is the only evidence and accused left of the Mumbai crime. Pakistani people are justified in their opinion because they have seen that India for a very Long time blamed Pakistan for the Samjhota Express Blast . In the end, The RAW sponsored Hindu Terrorist Prohit was found behind it. So, In this case Suspect is still Indian Govt. Until proven otherwise. And it can not be proved with Wikileaks, That's for sure.
Did he show mercy to the innocent Indians he killed cold bloodedly?
Filing of mercy petition to the President of India by Kasab is like granting of an open visa for the next ten years as a State's guest and enjoy Indian hospitality.
Now you know why extremists target India. A full case trial - to "prove" his guilt. All expenses paid. Now all the drama of "due process." Even the Indian Muslims are shaking their head in disbelief. This man is going to use the system and will remain alive.
He is a real Hero.
@Roy
Please check your facts, Ajmal kasab is a Pakistani citizen who is being tried in a secular,civilized country of India, much to his good fortune and the misfortune of the family members of all the innocent Indians & non Indians murdered by him.
@Yaida M: Why is this a news item in Pakistan? An Indian citizen is punished under Indian law for an outrage in India. Isn’t that the story?
err.. minor correction.. he is a pakistani citizen cought red handed in one of the most ghastly terror attacks .. considerable human interest story for a paper to publish i guess....
Quite frankly, the man has been convicted of murdering innocents in a cowardly terrorist attack. There should be no mercy shown to such barbarians, regardless of their origin.
We certainly hope for justice to also be provided to the victims of the Samjhota express bombings in India, where many Pakistanis visiting their neighbouring soil lost their lives. All terrorists need to be brought to task.
Yaida M: "Why is this a news item in Pakistan? An Indian citizen is punished under Indian law for an outrage in India. Isn’t that the story?
Hats off to u and others of ur ilk..it shows what's wrong with Pakistan@Roy - Awesome reply.
Seeing comments from the Pakistanis, I have no doubt that it is going in the right direction.
s news item about the official investigation report regarding Ajmal Kasabs identity was correct. http://archives.dawn.com/archives/42931 _ you guys don't even remember news published and videos transmitted on your own tv channelsaccording to my knowledge, islam gives no authority to anyone to forgive the criminal except those who were affected by the crime. in order to be forgiven according to islamic system, he has to get a letter of forgivness duely signed by the gaurdians of all victims of of his crime and getting this proccess done by all gaurdians of 166 dead people is merely possible.
As an Indian I feel Mr. Ajmal Kasab should be pardoned by The President and handed over to Pakistan. I wonder if he will be accepted. Imagine the reasons Pakistan will come up with for refusing to accept him. And, if he is accepted back, it will be fun to see who all shower him with rose petals, and for what purpose his services are utilized by the establishment.
I can't stop laughing!
@Anonymous: " I don’t see he has does anything wrong." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Its easier to launch Hatf Babur Missile VIII than to develop an eye for wrong. I am sure you also strongly support the Blasphemy Law.
@Khan of Cape Town: " If a moderate Pakistani can write something like this, then how will the more radical ones behave." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Like Ajmal Kasab?
@Moderate Pakistani: " He should be hanged in Pakistan." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pakistani sense of justice...like Dr Afridi sentenced for 33 years for hobnobbing with one of the million terrorist groups, sentenced under a Tribal Court.
@Fed Up Indian:
As I see, India has quietly given up hanging to ensure maximum number of countries (EU in particular) enter in to mutual extradition treaties with it. Since coalitions involving a few "secular-liberal" parties will be the order in future too, irrespective of Govt of the day India will not hang Kasab or for that matter anybody presently on the death row. The provision will certainly remain on the statute book but will not be carried out & eventually the barbarian practice will wither away..
Hang This Terrorist... No Mercy for the killer of innocent people...
@INDRESH: Indeed Islam is religion of peace say for KSA is a center of Islam you wont any violence there even in Makkah Muslims are not allowed to kill even any ant or fly want to know about Islam i would suggest you to read Quran and Hadiths rather then to observe the Muslim dynamics because a Muslim can do sin but Islam never allow sin and talking about terrorism please don't forget to mention Gujrat for Muslim genocide, Myanmar violence over Rohingya Muslims, Indian army's invasion in 1948 over Kashmir to occupy whole Kashmir, Israel's brutality over Palestine ,Russian and Serbian army killing of Chechan's Muslims
RAW trying its best to save one of their asset, as a moral builder for rest of the team. if Kasab goes dead all other assets will run away quickly. Indian public is outraged, while RAW is in catch 22 situation.
@Yaida M: Very good.. Keep it up..
@Nadir You are crazy dude, get a life or something like it, ET should filter such hateful, intimidating, insulting comments that are views of an insane person but attempt to represent a whole religion/philosophy
@Yaida M who asks
"Why is this a news item in Pakistan? An Indian citizen is punished under Indian law for an outrage in India. Isn’t that the story?"
Yes sir. I think this paper is just trying to prove the stupidity of Indians.
@antony Grow up man!!!
no doubt, we will oblige it.
@Roy: Its the corrupt politicians who should be put on trial. and that corrupt politician belongs to which side of border.Kindly enlighten us.
NO MERCY for the terrorist!
One more reason for Pakistanis to indulge in their favourite pass time - burning US flag. Pakistanis do not need a reason to do that.
One more reason for Pakistanis to indulge in their favourite pass time - burning US flag.
@Nadir - goods going my friend. Let's continue to blame the outsiders instead of cleaning our own backyard. Good recipe to ensure we succeed as a nation.
MAny says Islam is religion of peace, but i am searching where is peace ? everywhere terrorists killing innocents in name of religion that al. , take example of pakistan, Chechenya, Iraq, Afghanistan and other muslim countries
@Moderate Pakistani: If a moderate Pakistani can write something like this, then how will the more radical ones behave.
@Nadir: lool. I can only laugh on your statement mate.
Parent india which belonged and was ruled by Mughals who happened to be muslims And @ Anonymous Islam doesnt teach violence. Islam teached patients and peace. Killing hundreds of innocent people is no bravery but an act of coward. Its the corrupt politicians who should be put on trial.
Correction Mr. Raj. Kasab is an indian citizen not pakistani, RAW has claimed him to be indian muslim.
@Anonymous, Yes I too dont see anything wrong in TTP blowing up in Pakistan ? .Can I say so ? . Its inhuman to say to people who lost lives in these atrocities.
@yaida, Yes Ajmal Kasab is an indian citizen in the sense that all of pakistan is part of parent India.
@Yaida M - Little correction
A Pakistani citizen is punished under Indian law for an outrage in India. That's the story
The Congress will just wait until the 2014 elections. If they estimate that they need more Hindu votes, they'll order his execution a few months before the election, and if they decide to appease Muslims to make gains in UP/Bihar/WB, then they will just delay it till the elections are over and leave it to the ruling party after that. Most Indian Muslims want him dead anyway and besides, they already know the backhanded methods the Congress uses to get votes.
First he gets involved in terrorist attack, then he gets caught in a supposedly suicide mission, and now is appealing for mercy. The guy really sucks! He should be hanged in Pakistan.
Why is this a news item in Pakistan? An Indian citizen is punished under Indian law for an outrage in India. Isn't that the story?
This proves he is not brave Muslim mujahid who strives for martyrdom rather than pardons!! CIA agent uncovered!