26/11 Mumbai attack trial concludes, judgement on May 3

Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) The trial in the 26/11 Mumbai
attack case against Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab and two
Indian conspirators concluded on Wednesday, almost a year
after it commenced, and the judge will pronounce his verdict
on May 3.
Special judge M L Tahaliyani reserved his judgement
after the prosecution and defence counsels wrapped up their
final arguments and would pronounce his verdict on May 3.
If the accused are pronounced guilty, the court would
on that day call upon the prosecution and defence lawyers to
put forth their arguments on quantum of sentence.
The prosecution examined as many as 653 witnesses to
prove their case that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
carried out the dastardly attacks by sending 10 jihadi
terrorists from Karachi.
The court also examined four witnesses, including two
National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, who led the teams in
operations to fight the terrorists.
Police had filed the charge sheet in the case on
February 26 last year after which the case was committed from
magistrate's court to Sessions Court on March 9, 2009. A
separate court was established in high-security Arthur Road
central prison here to hear the case.
On April 17, before the trial began, Kasab had pleaded
that he was a juvenile, but the court rejected his claim after
examining prosecution witnesses and experts and ruled that he
was over 20 years of age.
On May 8, the first witness stepped into the box,
saying he had seen Kasab gunning down sub-inspector Tukaram
Ombale at Girgaum Chowpatty.
After examining 653 witnesses, including 30
eyewitnesses, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam opened
arguments this month, saying there was evidence to suggest
that the security apparatus of Pakistan was involved in the
attacks on India's financial nerve centre.
Days later, American LeT operative David Headley, in a
plea bargain before a Chicago court, disclosed that officers
in the Pakistani Army were also behind the conspiracy to
strike terror in Mumbai on November 26, 2008.
Nikam argued for 13 days before the trial court and
filed a 675-page written submission. Kasab's counsel K P
Pawar argued for three days, while R B Mokashi and Ejaz Naqvi
appeared for Faheem Ansari and co-accused Sabauddin Ahmed.
Nikam has sought conviction of the accused on various
charges under IPC, including waging war against nation, and
other laws such as Foreigners Act, Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Properties
Act, Customs Act, Passport Act, Arms Act, Explosives Act,
Explosives Substances Act and Bombay Police Act. More PTI SVS
AHM


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