In a top-secret operation, Pakistan national Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was hanged in the high-security Yerwada Jail in Pune early on Wednesday after a four-year-long trial. Kasab, who was being kept at the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, was moved to the Yerwada jail on Sunday night.
The lone surviving gunman in the Mumbai attack of November 26, 2008 was shifted to the Yerwada Jail following the rejection of his mercy petition by the President earlier on November 5.
In a formal announcement made by Maharashtra home minister early at 8:30am on Wednesday, RR Patil said, "Kasab's hanging is a tribute to all the 166 people killed as well as those police officer martyred in the attack."
"Yes, Kasab has been hanged this (Wednesday) morning at 7.30 am in Yerawada central jail," special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who led the 26/11 terror attacks case, told IANS.
Once a mercy plea is rejected by the President, the case goes back to the trial court, which then takes into account the Supreme Court upholding its death sentence order. The trial court then sets up a date for the hanging. However, in this case, the decision may been taken on the prison officer's level itself, thus opening a debate on the issue.
Sentenced to death by the Bombay High Court in last October, Kasab was convicted on charges ranging from treason to waging war against India. His appeal in the Supreme Court was turned down in August.
The hanging of the Mumbai attacker a day before the winter session of the Parliament is expected to provide a temporary succour to the government facing a no-confidence motion against it.
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