‘I was acting like a robot, made to believe I was acting in the name of God’
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the execution of the death sentence awarded to Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
A Bench of Justices Aftab Alam and C.K. Prasad, after hearing senior counsel Gopal Subramaniam for Maharashtra and senior counsel Raju Ramachandran, amicus curiae appointed to assist Kasab, directed completion of pleading by November 30 and directed that the appeal be listed for final hearing on January 31, 2012.
Kasab was sentenced to death by a special anti-terror court on May 6, 2010 and this was confirmed by the Bombay High Court on February 21 this year.
Even as the proceedings began, Justice Alam asked Mr. Ramachandran: “Does your man [Kasab] deserve it [appeal to be heard]. Many people in the country think he doesn't.” The amicus curiae replied that due process of law required it to be heard.
Mr. Subramaniam also said that despite the magnitude of the terror attack, the due process of law had to be maintained and the matter needed to be dealt with expeditiously. All documentation and translation work relating to the trial court and the High Court had been completed.
Justice Alam told counsel: “God knows we do our best to maintain the rule of law. At times we have to suffer, that is the price we pay for maintaining the rule of law.”
In his appeal, Kasab said his confessional statement relating to conspiracy had not been corroborated by any evidence led by the prosecution. Further, there was no evidence whatsoever of any training having been imparted to him.
Also, there was no evidence that he was in touch with any of the other accused conspirators at any point of time either prior to the incident or during the incident.
He also contended that the test identification parade was not conclusive for the reason that his picture was already splashed all over the newspapers and television channels which had adversely affected the independent judgment of witnesses.
He said that even if he was held guilty for the offence alleged, it was not a fit case for imposition of the death sentence as his mind was completely brainwashed by the other accused. He was acting like a robot having been made to believe that he was acting in the name of God when he was allegedly told to commit the offence.
He prayed for quashing the death sentence imposed on him and an interim stay on execution.
Keywords: Mumbai terror attacks, Ajmal Kasab verdict, 26/11
Yes, you're right Supreme Court, we've to have to pay the price for the freedom and law.It is just going to be another 10 crores on this idiot in addition to 100 crores already spent to protect the one who killed scores.When the freedom and laws of this country allows millions to not have food, basic sanitation,clean water...Yes supreme court please do all this activism to show off and sensationalise the issue and not address the basic issues. I am personally against death sentence and I believe these guys should be in Jail till their natural end. The supreme court should be within its limits and not over do lots things like it has been doing in the recent past.This is creating a pandemonium in this country and a paralysis in decision making process.
On one side they say that he confessed to it and on other side they are saying there is no evidence that he was in contact, what exactly do they want ?
I expected better from Hindu readers. Sure, this terrorist and
murderer doesn't deserve to be heard, but what surprises me is that
no-one has pointed out the lackadaisical case put together by the
prosecution that has so many loopholes it doesn't hold a drop of
water, which is why this man has been able to challenge us at every
step.
It was supposed to have been an open-and-shut case. it's going on and
on. The law and all its alleys and by-lanes exist to prosecute the
guilty and protect the innocent. The prosecution hasn't been able to
prove kasab guilty effectively and so the trial goes on and on.
Judges must know the people who were killed there was someone's husband, brother and sister. I appeal to CJI, please review this judgement.
Though hanging him is not going to send any message to brain-washed robots, but as already mentioned, it will at least save a. Time & b.Tax Payers Money.
All feeling we have must be with the Judges also. But still if they stay the penalty, why dont we think in the other way around? From where our cops caught Kasab? Is this prompts us to enquire on Karkare's murder? Something is fishy..
Will we see him hanged ever or same fate as rajiv's killers and afzal guru?
It's a shame for a nation and its judiciary system to prolong such a broad daylight terrorism and murder case for so long. He should have been hanged by now. His hanging will boost the morale of all the people who are fighting against terrorism, also it would at least make those feel better who lost near and dear ones in the barbaric act of Kasab and his associates, at the same time, demoralizing all the forces nurturing terrorism & conspiring against the nation. It'll be a brave act of symbolism. I am eagerly waiting for that day. The world gives way for the brave and it is time India should show, we're no lesser in curbing conspiracy against our citizens.
Time and again its proving that India is a soft country in relation to the Law and Order.. Everyone in the world knows why India is not able to capitalize on the economic boom. Economic boom wont be there all the time and when our times comes we have to make use of it and move from developing to developed country. But the set of politicians and political system we have, i dont think we can do much or grow from where we are. God Bless India !!
It is true that law has to take its own course and it may be also true that he was acting like a Robot. But the bigger fact is that he killed people in broad day light and he should be punished for that - death sentence.
Can't believe SC is even entertaining listening to such people. even in 'Geeta' its said these kind of people who have no respect for others and >will do anything to get there motive should be eliminated to set deterrent example for others. SO HANG HIM AND STOP WASTING OUR TAX PAYERS MONEY.
at this rate India will reel under several other attacks, perform its due course of apprehending the criminals, and building more high security cells for these illogical militants/terrorists - all from the taxpayers pocket !!!! -
That Kasab's death sentence would be upheld in the Supreme Court was a foregone conclusion, but I doubt whether he will be executed at all given the unofficial moratorium we seem to be observing in this regard. Add to this the habit of our administration of sitting on mercy pleas. As things stand today, speedy following up on the Supreme Court order appears quite unlikely.
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