26/11 trial to begin today

The trial against arrested Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab and 45 others, accused of 26/11 attacks, will finally commence from tomorrow in a special court room at the Arthur Road Jail with an opening address of Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. Mr Nikam told UNI that the trial would begin before designated court Judge M L Tahaliyani from tomorrow with his opening address describing the involvement of Kasab and other accused on the basis of evidence gathered by investigating agencies. On November 26 last, a 10-member gang of terrorists attacked on the commercial capital of the country, killing 170 people and injuring over 300. Kasab, the only one to be caught alive, would be for the first time produced before the court physically tomorrow. On earlier occasions he was produced before the court only through video conferencing due to security reasons. The trial, supposed to commence in the mid week of March, was delayed because the fortification of the special court room in the jail was not completed. ‘Now, the work is almost completed and it will likely to commence tomorrow,’ he added. Security arrangements have been beefed up in and around Arthur Road jail premises following threat to Kasab’s life. Police have also regulated vehicular traffic and instructed not to park vehicles within 100 metres of jail premises. Mr Nikam would also submit crucial evidence against Kasab and the other two accused-- Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed. The trio are at present in police custody and facing trial whereas the 35 others wanted in the case are at large and suspected to be hiding in Pakistan. ‘Though, there are 2202 witnesses in the case, we will short list them and conclude the trial as early as possible,’ he said. Kasab and the 35 others were booked for waging war against the nation, murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit terror acts, Arms act, trespassing, Railway Act and others under Indian Penal code. Ansari and Sabauddin are charged with making a reconnaissance of Taj Mahal and Trident hotels and CST railway station. They had allegedly prepared maps of the city and handed over to terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiyaba (LeT).

"Loved reading this piece by Prakash Yedhula?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group