SC to hear Kasab's appeal from Jan 30

From January 30, the Supreme Court will take up Ajmal Kasab's appeal challenging the Bombay high court verdict confirming the death sentence awarded to him for his involvement in the 26/11 attacks.

From January 30, the Supreme Court will take up Ajmal Kasab's appeal challenging the Bombay high court verdict confirming the death sentence awarded to him for his involvement in the 26/11 attacks.

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Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told Hindustan Times that the apex court is likely to hear the case on a day-to-day basis in order to conclude it expeditiously.

In what could be termed as one of the fastest trials involving a strike by terrorists, the special court of Judge ML Tahiliyani (subsequently elevated as a judge of the Bombay high court) had held Ajmal Kasab guilty on various charges on May 6, 2010 – within a year of formally starting the trial.

The special court, however, completely discarded the prosecution evidence against two locals – Fahim Arshad Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed – and acquitted them of all the charges. The two were named as accused primarily on the suspicion that they had provided logistical support for the 26/11 carnage. The special court subsequently sentenced Kasab to death on five different counts – conspiracy, waging war against the nation, indulging in unlawful activities resulting in death, seven individual murders directly linked with him, and sharing common intention in creating mayhem in Mumbai by killing 166 persons in all.

On February 21, 2011, the high court confirmed capital punishment awarded to Kasab.