Chavan unhappy with acquittal of two Indian accused

Mumbai, Feb 21 (PTI) Expressing "unhappiness" over theacquittal of two Indian accused in the 26/11 case by theBombay High Court, Maharashtra Chief Minister PrithvirajChavan today said his government will file an appeal againstthe judgement in the Supreme Court.

Terming as "historic" the upholding of the deathsentence of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab by the court, hesaid, "It signifies the triumph of the Indian judicial system,Indian democracy that we could conduct a free and fair trialin this highly emotive case".

Chavan said while the court confirmed Kasab''s capitalpunishment, "we are unhappy that our appeal against the twoaccused persons was not upheld by the High Court."

The Chief Minister said, "I have discussed the matterwith government pleader Ujjwal Nikam and the government willappeal against the acquittal of the two accused persons in theSupreme Court".

The High Court has dismissed the Maharashtragovernment''s petition against the acquittal of two IndiansFaheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, accused of aiding thecommission of the crime.

Chavan also appealed to the Union government to bringall international pressure on Pakistan to unearth the Mumbaiattacks conspiracy and bring the guilty to book.

"We are very unhappy that while India has gone aheadand conducted the trial in a very transparent manner, thetrial has not even begun in Pakistan.

"I appeal to the Union government to bring all theinternational pressure on Pakistan to unearth the conspiracy,bring the guilty to book and punish the guilty," he saidnoting that the Maharashtra government would take allnecessary action to make sure that such an incident does notrecur.

He also complimented Nikam for having concluded the26/11 case in the High Court in a period of less than threemonths.