Ajmal Kasab Tuesday pleaded for mercy in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case. His petition has been sent to the President’s office, Indian media reported.
Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a plea by Kasab, the only terrorist caught alive during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, to commute the death sentence handed to him by the Bombay High Court to life imprisonment.
Confirming the death sentence, the top court observed that the primary and foremost offence that Kasab was charged with was waging war against India and “We are left with no option, but to uphold the sentence.”
The two Judge bench also rejected the 25-year-old’s contention that he was not given a free and fair trial in the case. The bench observed that the failure of the government to provide him with an advocate at the pre-trial stage did not vitiate trial court proceedings against him. It also held that the confessional statement given by Kasab, which he retracted during trial, was very much voluntary except for a very small portion.
Kasab had moved the Supreme Court on February 14 this year against the High Court verdict of October 10 last year, which upheld a lower court order sentencing the terrorist to death. The lower court had pronounced its judgement on May 6, 2010, 18 months after Kasab was captured.
Over 160 people were killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Kasab pleads for mercy in 26/11 Mumbai attacks case
