Amir Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist caught alive during the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, was hanged to death at Pune's Yerawada Jail this morning at 7.30. Confirming this Home Minister Sushill Kumar Shinde told reporters in New Delhi that Kasab was hanged to death this morning in Pune's Yerawada Jail . He said, Kasab’s mercy petition was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee on 5th of this month.
The Home Minister said, 166 people were killed in the 26/11 attacks in 2008, when 10 men from Pakistan including Kasab sailed into Mumbai and launched attack on several targets. Kasab was the only terrorist who was caught alive. Talking to Reporter in New Delhi Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said the date for execution of Kasab was decided early this month.
The Home Minister also said, Pakistan has not demanded for Kasab's body. A heavy security cordon has been put in place around the prison where the hanging was carried out this morning.
Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil announced the hanging saying this is a tribute to all innocent people and the officers who lost their lives in the Mumbai attacks.
The Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist, who was kept in Mumbai's Arthur Road jail since his arrest in 2008, was shifted from Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail to Pune after rejection of his mercy petition.
After nearly a four-year-long legal battle, on August 29, the Supreme Court had confirmed the death penalty awarded to the LeT operative by the trial court and later upheld by the Bombay High Court.
Kasab's mercy petition was filed first with the Maharashtra Home Ministry, which rejected it in September, and forwarded it to the Union Home Ministry which was sent to President.
New Delhi hopes that rule of law will prevail in Pakistan as well in the 26/11 attack trial like it did in the case of Ajmal Kasab in India. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said action in Pakistan on 26/11 perpetrators is necessary for the extremely unpleasant incident which caused tremendous loss of life.
The External Affairs Minister said according to legal requirements, India informed Pakistan Government and Kasab's family about his execution. On whether India received any request for handing over of Kasab's body either from the Pakistan Government or his family, he said no such request was received.
Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said, there is a rule of law in the country and Kasab was given an opportunity to put his case before the lower court, High Court and Supreme Court. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr Alvi said the Apex Court convicted Kasab and sentenced him to death.
BJP today welcomed the hanging of Ajmal Kasab but emphasised that his handlers across the border in Pakistan should also be brought to justice. Party has termed the hanging of Ajmal Kasab a correct decision though a late one by the government. Party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said it is an ocassion to re-inforce the country's committment in the fight against terrorism.
The BJP spokesperson also demanded that 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru be also hanged.
The hanging of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, who was caught alive during the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai in 2008 has been welcomed by the relatives of the victims and general public.
Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who appeared for police in the case, also said that homage has been paid to all those who lost their lives in the 26/11 attacks. Describing Kasab’s hanging as a victory for the country, Nikam said that we have set an example that India will not tolerate such attacks and the accused will be brought to justice.
Smita Salaskar, wife of encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar who died during the attacks described the hanging of Kasab as a homage to her husband.
