Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Death sentence for Kasab?

Mumbai, May 04, 2010 (SANS Correspondent)
Will it be death for Ajmal Kasab or a life term in prison?  The 26/11 trial court will share its decision on Thursday. Will it be death for Ajmal Kasab or a life term in prison? The public prosecutor, Ujjwal Nikam, made strong arguments in the Arthur Road Jail special court for two hours demanding the death sentence for Kasab  on the grounds of the "cold-bloodedness and motivation" of Kasab. 
Like Monday, when he was declared guilty of waging war and murder, Kasab, dressed once again in a white kurta-pyjama and unshaven, kept his head bowed throughout Nikam's arguments.  Kasab was found guilty on more than 80 of the 86 charges brought against him for planning and executing the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Nikam also said that Kasab wanted to inspire others to take part in fidayeen or suicide attacks.
As an example of why Kasab should get the death penalty, Nikam said that the terrorist had expressed disappointment that he landed at Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) after rush hour on 26/11/2008.  Kasab had anticipated a busier station, based on CDs he had been shown of CST before the attack,  Nikam said.  The prosecutor also said that in his confession to the Mumbai police, Kasab said that he was upset that he could not kill more people at the station. At CST, Kasab killed close to 60 people in an hour with his partner, Abu Ismail.  
Photographs taken by newspaper photographers of Kasab, taken in action while firing at CST's passengers and shopkeepers,  showed that "he enjoyed the acts of murder," said Nikam.   The terrorist  "was happy to see people in pain and anguish as a result of his firing," the prosecutor stressed.

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