Mumbai verdict

May 04, 2010 10:25 pm | Updated 10:25 pm IST

This has reference to the report on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab being found guilty of waging a war against India (May 4). It is distressing to note that either the police or the prosecution messed up on two other accused. There are key questions that need to be asked here.

Did they apprehend the wrong persons? Did they know they had a weak case? If so, why was it pursued so vigorously? If not, what was the motive in keeping them in jail for so long? Did the prosecution warn the police of this weak case?

It is necessary to address such questions rather than just gloating over how Kasab got a “fair” trial.

S. Sudhir Kumar,

Hyderabad

While the acquittal of the two Indians — Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed — may offer solace to those troubled by suggestions of a “home-grown” factor in the 26/11 attacks, the prosecution and Mumbai police stand shamed in the court. The judge has ruled that 20 of the 25 accused, including Pakistan's Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza, were involved in the conspiracy. The ends of justice will be met only if all of them are brought to justice.

J.S. Acharya,

Hyderabad

What's more important now is the punishment that is going to be handed out to Kasab. Even if he submits a mercy petition to the President if and after the Supreme Court confirms his death sentence, where is the guarantee that he would be sent to the gallows sooner than later? There are already 51 persons ahead of him on the death row.

P.G. Menon,

Chennai

There is no doubt that Kasab will be given the punishment of death by hanging. Then begins the real journey to the gallows. Obviously, the conviction will be challenged before higher courts and finally there will be a clemency petition. No doubt, Kasab will “enjoy” another three to four years of life in prison.

Mudgal Venkatesh,

Gulbarga

Kasab should not be awarded the death sentence. It is not an adequate punishment for him. It is, in fact, a relief. He should be awarded life sentence — not for 12 years — but till his natural death. While a dead Kasab will be a martyr for other terrorists, a Kasab-in-jail will be a deterrent to would-be terrorists.

S. Raghunatha Prabhu,

Alappuzha

The editorial, “Honourable verdict” (May 4) has succinctly evaluated the merits of the verdict of the special court in the Mumbai terror attack case. The swiftness with which the sessions judge M.L. Tahaliyani completed the terror trial in 17 months is admirable. It is important that the tempo is kept up till the lone captured terrorist is given the punishment. The key conspirators, who are exporting terror to wage a war on India, should also be brought to justice.

K.S.Thampi,

Chennai

Kudos to Judge M.L. Tahaliyani for completing the trial in a sensitive case in a short time and delivering the verdict. Certainly, in a case of this nature, justice delayed will be justice denied. The shock and horror suffered by the victims directly and indirectly cannot be explained in words. The enormity of evidence produced cannot be denied by Pakistan. It will only be fair on its part to hand over the other perpetrators to India for a fair trial. Islam is a religion of peace. No true Muslim would accept the killing of an innocent in the name of jihad.

T. Anand Raj,

Chennai

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