Bombay High Court defers Kasab’s case to August 12

MUMBAI - The Bombay High Court, which on Monday heard the petition to confirm the capital punishment for Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks adjourned the matter for further hearing on August 12.

Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice Vijaya Tahilramani deferred the matter after public prosecutor Pandurang Pol informed that the State would file an appeal within a week against the acquittal of Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Shaikh in the same case.

The duo was acquitted by the trial court on charges with conspiracy in the 26/11 attacks and on grounds that evidence against them was doubtful.

Earlier, Kasab has filed an appeal in the Bombay High Court challenging the verdict and sought a legal aid panel to fight his case.

It has been reported that Kasab filed the appeal through the jail authorities and his plea for a lawyer has been forwarded to the High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC).

Earlier on May 6, Kasab’s defence lawyer K. P. Pawar said the decision about appealing to the High Court against the death sentence would be taken after consultations with the convict.

A Mumbai Special Court on May 6 sentenced Kasab to death on four counts.

Judge M L Tahiliyani awarded death sentence for Kasab on-waging war against India, murder, conspiracy to murder, and participating in an act of terror under Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA).

Judge Tahiliyani felt that Kasab’s crime fell under the judicial definition of “rarest of rare”.

Kasab, who is the 52nd prisoner on death row in India, was also awarded life term on five other counts. (ANI)