26/11 case begins amid tight security

26/11 case begins amid tight security

Amidst unprecedented security, the state on Monday opened arguments in the Bombay High Court on confirmation of death sentence awarded to Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab for his role in the terror attacks in the city on November 26, 2008.

Government Counsel Ujjwal Nikam, while giving details about the barbaric acts of Kasab and nine others who came from Pakistan to strike terror in Mumbai, said "26/11 attack was act of state-sponsored terrorism and was executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba with the aid of security apparatus of that country".

The arguments began in court 49 before Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice R V More through video conference to enable Kasab hear the proceedings from the Central Jail where he is imprisoned in the high security bomb and bullet proof cell.

This is for the first time that arguments on confirmation of death sentence are being heard through video conference in the Bombay High Court, legal sources told a news agency.

Kasab, who appeared on a big screen sharp at 11 AM, seemed to be uninterested in the proceedings as most of the time he was seen smiling and yawning. At times, he scratched his head, played with the button of his prison uniform and stretched his arms.

The entire High Court building was converted into a fortress with deployment of armed policemen at all the four entrances. Lawyers, media persons and Court staff were issued special passes to enter Court 49 to hear the 26/11 case.

Although Kasab was not brought to the court, security was tight in view of the sensitive nature of the case.

During the first half, Kasab sought permission to go to the washroom. He gestured at jail staff who informed the court. The judges allowed Kasab to take a break.

State's Counsel Ujjwal Nikam said a heinous conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan by LeT to destabilise India, wage war against the country and cause financial losses by organising terror attacks in Mumbai in which 166 persons from India, UK, USA, Israel and other countries were killed.

Nikam said the ten terrorists were trained in Pakistan and left Karachi for Mumbai by boat Al-husseini. Midway, they hijacked M V Kuber and killed captain Amarsinh Solanki. They landed at Badhwar Park in South Mumbai and went to different places in separate batches to execute the terror attacks.

Kasab and Abu Ismael took a taxi and planted a bomb before getting down at CST where they fired indiscriminately at people, killing several. The taxi bomb exploded at Vile Parle in which the driver and a lawyer were killed.

The duo then entered nearby Cama Hospital and killed a police officer and a constable while injuring few others. Outside the hospital, they shot dead top police officers, Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamate and Vijay Salaskar.

Kasab and his companion then hijacked a police car and fired at people near Metro Cinema before dumping the vehicle near Mantralaya. They stole a Skoda car from its owner at gunpoint and headed for Girgaum Chowpatty where Abu Ismael was killed in a police encounter while Kasab captured alive.

On May 6, the trial court had awarded death sentence to Kasab. In accordance with law, death penalty was referred to the High Court for confirmation.