Mumbai, May 05: Setting the stage for framing charges
against prime accused in Mumbai terror attack case Mohammed
Ajmal Amir Kasab and two others, the trial court today took on
record "sanctions" obtained from authorities to prosecute
them.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam filed "sanctions"
obtained from Centre and Maharashtra Government to prosecute
Kasab, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed who are facing the
trial as well as 35 wanted accused believed to be in Pakistan.
These "sanctions" pertain to offences such as waging war
against the nation, violation of Customs Act (by illegally
bringing firearms to India), infringement of Explosives Act
and Explosives Substances Act (using explosives) and Arms Act
(opening fire with sophisticated weapons), Nikam told agencies.
The Judge M L Tahaliyani accepted the "sanctions" and
said the court would frame charges against the trio tomorrow
after considering the material against them.
Nikam said the prosecution had obtained sanction from the
Customs Department yesterday to prosecute Kasab under Customs
Act as he and his nine Pakistani associates had brought arms
illegally to India to strike terror in Mumbai.
Sanction had also been obtained from the Union Government
to prosecute Kasab and others under IPC for "waging war
against the nation". If found guilty, they face punishment
ranging from death sentence to life imprisonment and fine.
Besides, sanction has also been obtained from the
Collector of Mumbai to prosecute Kasab under Arms Act. Kasab
is charged with opening fire at CST railway station, Cama
Hospital and Chowpatty killing several people.
The sanction of competent authority to prosecute Kasab
under Explosives Substances Act and Explosives Act had already
been tabled before the court. However, other sanctions were
filed today, Prosecutor Nikam said.
On November 26 last year, a group of ten suspected LeT
gunmen, including Kasab, had unleashed terror in Mumbai by
opening fire at CST railway station, Cama hospital, near Rang
Bhavan, hotels Taj Mahal and Oberoi, Nariman House, Leopold
Cafe and Chowpatty, killing 166 persons and injuring many
others.
They also planted RDX in taxis which exploded at Vile
Parle and Mazgaon. Besides, they killed five crew members of
fishing boat "Kuber" by which they arrived in Mumbai from
Karachi.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, May 05, 2009, 00:00