New Delhi (November 21, 2012): The Indian government on Wednesday hanged Ajmal Kasab till death, the only gunmen captured alive from 26/11 Mumbai attacks that killed about 166 people.
Kasab was hanged to death at 7:30 am Indian Standard Time (IST) at Yerwada jail of Pune, seventh largest metropolis in India, media reports.
Earlier this month, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his mercy plea.
“Kasab was shifted to Yerwada jail two days ago.
He was hanged at 7:30 this morning (0200 GMT),” Maharashtra home minister R. R Patil told reporters in Mumbai.
“His execution is a fitting tribute to the victims of Mumbai attacks,” Patil added at a news conference.
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, was one of 10 gunmen alleged of waging a war against the Indian State, involved in the 60-hour siege of Mumbai, attacks on the railway station, luxury hotels and a Jewish cultural center.
Kasab was sentenced to death in May 2010 after he was found guilty of a string of charges, including waging war against India, murder and terrorist acts.
He appealed in the Supreme Court claiming he did not receive a fair trial but his petition was struck down in August.
During the 2008 attacks, the heavily armed Islamist gunmen stormed targets in Mumbai including luxury hotels, a Jewish centre, a hospital and a bustling train station.
India blames the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant organisation for training, equipping and financing the gunmen with support from “elements” in the Pakistan military.
Pakistan has admitted that the attacks were planned partly on its soil, but denies any official involvement. It charged seven alleged plotters behind the attacks in 2009 but has insisted more evidence is needed to convict them.
Kasab initially pleaded not guilty but later confessed, admitting he was one of the gunmen sent by the LeT.
At his trial, the prosecution produced fingerprint, DNA, eyewitness and TV footage evidence showing him opening fire and throwing grenades at Mumbai’s main railway station in the bloodiest episode of the attacks.
India has executed just one person in 15 years — a former security guard hanged in 2004 for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.
Indian officials said Mohammed Kasab’s execution was a fitting tribute to the victims of the Mumbai attacks
Prisoners can often languish for years on death row but there had been a huge clamour for Kasab’s execution.
During his appeal, Kasab argued that he was denied proper legal representation and that some charges against him were not proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
“I was denied a fair trial,” Kasab said in a statement when his appeal hearing began in January. “I may be guilty of killing people and carrying out a terrorist act but I am not guilty of waging war against the state.”
AFP News
