Mumbai Special Court sentences Kasab to death

Mumbai, May 6 (ANI): A Mumbai Special Court on Thursday sentenced the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist of the 26/11 attacks Ajmal Amir 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 Tahaliyani felt that Kasab's crime fell under the judicial definition of "rarest of rare".

With today's judgment, Kasab became the 52nd prisoner on death row in India.

Judge Tahiliyani also awarded life term to Kasab on five other counts.

He said, "A common man will loose faith in court, if this man is let loose. The death penalty is required. There is no other option. This man has lost the right to get humanitarian treatment."

Judge Tahiliyani also felt that having Kasab alive can be a perpetual danger to the nation.

He also added that Kasab has been a menace to the society.

After the judge pronounced the verdict, Kasab broke down to tears in the courtroom.

His whole body was reportedly shuddering, just moments before the judge pronounced the quantum of punishment.

Immediately after pronouncement of the death sentence, Judge Tahaliyani sent his order for confirmation to the Bombay High Court.

The death penalty will not be implemented immediately it has to be confirmed by the High Court.

Kasab has the option of appealing to higher courts, and can also file a mercy petition for the consideration of President of India.

Earlier, Kasab was pronounced guilty on Monday and the prosecution and defence ended their arguments on quantum of sentence on Tuesday.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in and around the Arthur Road Central Jail where the special court decided the fate of Kasab for his role in the 26/11 terror attacks.

The Arthur Road Jail became a fortress with large number of police personnel posted at various vantage points on Sane Guruji Marg which was made one way for the traffic movements.

While the prosecution wanted death sentence for Kasab, his lawyer has appealed for leniency on the grounds that he's just 22 years old.

Kasab has turned into India's one of the costliest prisoner. Till now, the Government has spent over 35 crore rupees for his safety.

On Tuesday, the public prosecutor, Ujjwal Nikam, attacked Kasab for two hours, describing him as "worse than a wild beast... Kasab is a killing machine... and the orders for this machine came from Pakistan."

On Monday, 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 had laid out eight arguments on why Kasab deserves to be hanged, among them, that the 26/11 attacks was meticulously planned and that policemen and defenceless civilians were "mercilessly butchered."

He also argued that Kasab wanted to inspire others to take part in fidayeen or suicide attacks. (ANI)