“I compliment the investigating agencies and the prosecution for marshalling the evidence and proving beyond reasonable doubt that Kasab and his associates were guilty of the horrific crimes with which they were charged before the Court,” the minister said reacting to the conviction of Kasab by a Mumbai court.
“Despite criticism from certain quarters (swayed by anger), we maintained that Kasab and the other accused ought to be tried in accordance with law and that they should have all the rights that are available to an accused under Indian law. It was an open trial.”
“Kasab was represented by counsel. He was given full opportunity to plead his case. The case has ended in a conviction. The trial of Kasab underlines the fact that India is a country governed by the rule of law”, Chidambaram said.
A criminal trial in India can only proceed step by step.
The prosecution has obtained a conviction. The next step is sentencing and we should await the punishment to which the Court will sentence the accused, he said in a statement.
Asked by newspersons what was the message for Pakistan, the Home Minister said the judgment “is a message to Pakistan that they should not export terror to India. If they do and if the terrorists are apprehended, we will be able to bring them to justice and give them exemplary punishment.”
DH News Service
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