World

Kasab challenges death penalty

Ajmal Kasab files an appeal in the Bombay High Court challenging his death penalty.

Express September 29, 2010

MUMBAI:

In a fresh development in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, Ajmal Kasab has filed an appeal in the Bombay High Court challenging his death penalty.

Kasab was given multiple death sentences by a trial court on May 3rd, 2010. The court convicted him of charges including murder, waging war against India, conspiracy and terrorism.

Bombay High Court will start hearing Kasab's appeal on October 18th. Kasab has challenged the penalty saying it was a harsh punishment imposed on him and pleaded that there were lapses in evidence produced by police.

If the HC confirms his death sentence, Kasab can still apply for clemency to the Indian government.

Such motions often keep convicts on death row for years, even decades.

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was found guilty of murder, waging war against India and a string of other charges over the siege in India’s commercial capital which left 166 people dead and more than 300 others wounded.

The charges of waging war against India and murder both carry the death penalty but there was no indication about how long the process would take nor when sentencing would take place.

Kasab was the only gunman involved in the November 2008 attacks to survive.

COMMENTS (7)

SKChadha | 13 years ago | Reply If societies go on giving protection to handlers, many more Kasabs, Afzal Gurus, Shahzads and Aafias will be either hanged or severely punished world over or would be making futile attempts for mercy … ?? Kasab is in a pitiable condition because his own people now disown him. Will trustees of civil society have courage to bring to book the real culprits who are sacrificing such youth by poisoning their mind? Let us see how many more such young lives are sacrificed by glorified criminals in society? The guilt of Kasab is way lower than that of his handlers. If the handlers are protected and defended by nations, than what is wrong in giving another chance to the poor Kasab to defend himself? After all this is also a test of justice.

Ashutosh | 13 years ago | Reply There is not an iota of doubt that Kasab will meet his faith. If we just hang him or lynch him then what will be the difference between a civil society and a barbarian society. The judicial process as per the constitution and legislation of India, Kasab has the right to defend himself and he must exercise it. At the end, every one is sure that the justice is done. This confidence in constitution and system of justice will encourage every Indian (and others with similar values) to have trust in India systems and inspire them to live for India and to die for it too. Even those who have raged a war against the Nation will realize that they have recourse other than raging the war.