Court verdict today on Kasab's suspected Mumbai attack role

Mumbai:  Almost one-and-a-half years after 10 terrorists struck in the heart of India's financial and entertainment capital, the verdict on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone suspect captured alive after the bloody 60-hour siege of Mumbai, will be delivered on Monday.

Mumbai special judge M.L. Tahilyani will deliver his judgment in the case, which has seen as many as 653 witnesses being examined, a 675-page written submission being filed, and several ups and downs — even as Kasab stayed in a high-security cell.

Depending on whether Kasab is pronounced guilty, the quantum of sentence will be argued before the court and the actual punishment will be awarded. The maximum punishment Kasab can get is the death penalty.

The case may or may not go to higher courts depending on the judgment.

The audacious attack on November 26, 2008, targeted sites like the World Heritage building of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, Hotel Oberoi-Trident, the Cama Hospital and the Chabad House, a Jewish prayer centre, and a favourite haunt of foreign visitors, Leopold Café.

The assault and the massacre that followed stunned the world and left 166 people dead and 244 injured.

Kasab's trial, which started on April 15, 2009, was completed on March 31 this year, after nearly seven months of hearing, excluding breaks and vacations. The prosecution case was led by special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.

FBI assistance

The witnesses included many survivors of the terror attacks, eyewitnesses, family members of the victims, police officials, several foreign nationals, Indian security officials and officials from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The high-profile trial revolved around Kasab and two Indian co-accused, Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmad.

Kasab has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including waging war against the nation. Besides, he faces charges under the Explosives Act, the Arms Act, the Passport Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Properties Act, the Customs Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Bombay Police Act, the Foreigners Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The two Indian co-accused have been charged with conspiracy in the terror attacks — preparing maps of the targeted locations and handing these to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives.

The trio was lodged in Arthur Road Central Jail premises in south Mumbai where an air-conditioned Special Court was also set up for the trial, as part of security measures.

Kasab was lodged in a solitary oval cell which was reinforced with layers of cement and steel capable of thwarting any major attacks or bomb blast.

Several roads outside the jail were made out of bounds for the general public or limited access was granted to vehicles after a thorough security check even before the trial as Kasab and his cohorts were lodged there.

"I, my family and people of India want Kasab hanged. This is what matters to us," Vaishali Ombale told the Press Trust of India news agency on Friday. Kasab is accused of killing the 23-year-old's father shortly before his capture.

Kasab's trial at a special court in Mumbai has been conducted in four languages and featured more than 600 witnesses. Despite its complexity, the trial has lasted only about a year - unusual speed for India's judicial system.

One of the memorable moments in the trial came in July, when Kasab made a surprise confession. He later retracted that statement, saying he had been tortured.

The attacks and subsequent investigation have added pressure to India and Pakistan's already tense relations.

This month Pakistan asked India to hand over Kasab and co-defendant Fahim Ansari so they could be tried by Islamabad. India has yet to oblige.

Pakistan has brought charges against seven suspected of involvement in the attack, but top Lashkar leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is not among them, much to India's ire.