Mumbai: Almost a year after the 26/11
attacks case began in a special court here, the trial of
Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab, accused of slaughtering 166
people, and two Indians charged with taking part in the
conspiracy is likely to conclude tomorrow.
The arguments by prosecution and defence are expected
to conclude tomorrow following which Judge M L Tahaliyani may
announce the date for the verdict, Special Public Prosecutor
Ujjwal Nikam told PTI today.
The prosecution examined as many as 653 witnesses to
prove their case that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
carried out the dastardly attacks in Mumbai by sending 10
jehadi terrorists from Karachi.
The court also examined four witnesses, including two
National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, who led the teams in
operations to fight the terrorists.
Police filed charge sheet on February 26 last year and
the case was committed from magistrate`s court to a sessions
court on March 9, 2009. A separate court was established in
high security central prison here to hear the case.
On April 17, before the trial began, Kasab had pleaded
that he was a juvenile, but the court rejected his claim after
examining prosecution witnesses and experts and ruled that he
was above 20 years.
On May 8, the first witness stepped into the box,
saying he had seen Kasab gunning down sub-inspector Tukaram
Ombale at Girgaum Chowpatty.
After examining 653 witnesses, including 30 eye
witnesses, Nikam opened arguments this month, saying there was
evidence to suggest that the security apparatus of Pakistan
was involved in the attacks on India`s financial nerve centre.
Some days later, American terror accused David
Headley, in a plea bargain before a Chicago Court, disclosed
that Pakistani Army men were behind the conspiracy to strike
terror in Mumbai in November 2008.
Nikam argued for 13 days before the trial court and
filed a 675-page written submissions. Kasab`s counsel K P
Pawar argued for three days while R B Mokashi, lawyer
defending Faheem Ansari, argued today. Ejaz Naqvi, the lawyer
of co-accused Sabauddin Ahmed, would argue tomorrow.
Nikam has sought conviction of the accused on various
charges under IPC, including waging war against nation, and
other laws such as Foreigners Act, Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Properties
Act, Customs Act, Passport Act, Arms Act, Explosives Act,
Explosives Substances Act and Bombay Police Act.
-PTI
