SC reserves order on Kasab’s plea against death sentence

A Supreme Court bench today reserved its order on Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab's plea challenging his conviction and death sentence in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

The bench comprising justices Aftab Alam and CK Prasad reserved its verdict after a marathon hearing that lasted over two and a half month, during which it heard arguments by the prosecution and defence counsel in the terror mayhem, which involved random firing by Kasab and other desperadoes, killing 166 people.

During the argument, Kasab contended that his trial had not been free and fair and that he was not part of any larger conspiracy for waging war against India.

He had also said that the prosecution had failed to prove the case against him beyond doubt and his right against self-incrimination as also his right to adequate representation by a counsel to defend himself in the case had been violated during the trial.

Kasab, in the appeal he filed from jail, challenged his conviction and death sentence. Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran had been appointed by the apex court as amicus curiae to argue on behalf of Kasab.

Former solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam and special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the bench earlier that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was executed in accordance with a "calculated" design, aimed at causing communal tension in the country by projecting it as the handiwork of Indian Muslims.