Kasab should get death penalty: Families of 26/11 victims

Those whose lives changed forever on 26/11 — family members or friends dead or haunted by shocking memories — say on judgement day on Monday, no mercy should be shown to Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the terrorist captured alive that day. He should be hanged, and hanged in public for all to see, they say.

That is certainly what 60-year-old Mohammed Hanif Peer Mohammed believes. “Those terrorists killed my sister’s husband. The sole surviving terrorist should not be spared. He should be hanged in public,” he said.

Indru Mansukhani, 71, a survivor of the attack in Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel — one of the many prominent Mumbai locations targeted that day — said it makes no sense giving Kasab a life sentence.

“He is one of those responsible for killing so many people. There is no need to take pity on him. He is a murderer,” said Mr. Mansukhani.

They are waiting for the verdict on Monday, which will mark a full 521 days after the bloody siege in India’s financial and entertainment capital. Justice will be delivered to Kasab, the only one captured alive from among the 10 Pakistan-based terrorists who attacked Mumbai that day. The assault left 166 people dead and 244 injured.

Kavita Karkare, widow of slain Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare who was shot three times in the chest as he led his men at the Taj Mahal Hotel to free it of terrorists, is eagerly awaiting the verdict. “Let us see what the verdict is. I will speak to you only after that,” she told

IANS .

Many survivors even feel that Kasab should be hanged and the event should be telecast live.

Bharat Gujjar, 33, who survived the attack at Leopold Café is strictly against keeping Kasab alive. “I have heard talk of the Pakistan government asking for Kasab’s custody. But if that is done, I am sure he will be saved. Giving him a life term is also not advisable,” said Mr. Gujjar.

Ragini S. Sharma, the widow of slain railway officer Sushilkumar Sharma, said: “Kasab should be sentenced to most rigorous punishment. Kasab and all others should realise that their act of terrorism has taken away beloved members of our family. He should be hanged till death in public.”

Deepak Bhonsale, the son of assistant sub-inspector Balasaheb Bhonsale who was killed that day, said he is finally glad that judgement day has arrived.

“Although it took more than 17 months to pass a verdict against such a criminal, I am glad we will finally hear the sentence. He has taken the lives of many innocent people. He should be hanged till death.”