Prosecution likely to rest its case against Kasab today
16 Dec 2009
The prosecution is likely to rest its case against Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab, the only person captured alive from the gang of 10 that killed 166 innocent persons in Mumbai on 26 November last year in one of the worst terror attacks the world has ever seen, as well as against fellow-conspirators Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed.
Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said on Tuesday that all but two witnesses, assistant commissioner of police (crime) Deven Bharti and ACP Ashok Duraphe, have deposed. ''Therefore, we will most probably conclude our evidence tomorrow,'' he said. Bharti had sanctioned some charges against the accused, while Duraphe is the chief investigating officer.
The case before Tahaliyani deals not just with the role played by Kasab but the entire conspiracy that went into attacking multiple targets in Mumbai. ''We have not only prosecuted Kasab, but also brought evidence on record to show the strategic terror culture that emanates from Pakistan in the form of terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),'' Nikam said.
The prosecution is relying on the statements of more than 650 witnesses, 45 of whom are key eyewitnesses who have identified Kasab in court as one of the gunmen who went on the rampage first at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and then at Cama Hospital, mowing down dozens of people with AK-47s and hand grenades.
The prosecution on Tuesday examined senior police inspector (crime branch unit 1) Ramesh Mahale, who had supervised the investigation and paperwork for the charge-sheet. Mahale detailed how he carried forward the investigations under the supervision of his seniors.
Once Nikam wraps up his case, a letter rogatory is likely to be issued by a magistrate to authorities in Italy in connection with the arrest of two men there for making payments for a call account that facilitated the terrorists.
It is interesting to note that while the trial in India is nearing its end, the one in Pakistan against seven of Kasab's fellow conspirators has not even begun.
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