The youngest witness in 26/11 trial

Devika Rotavan, the 10-year- old girl child, is the face of the ongoing 26/11 trial, in which Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab and his two Indian accomplices are in the dock. She is the youngest witness in the trial and had boldly identified Kasab as the terrorist who shot at her, disabling her permanently.

She became a star in own right when she walked her way into the special court at the Arthur Road Central Prison on  crutches in June 2009 to testify before designated judge M L Tahilyani. Devika was at the CST along with her elder brother Jayesh and father Natwarlal on 26/11 night, waiting to board a train for Pune at the start of a vacation.

It was at this time that  Kasab and his accomplice entered the main hall of the CST and began firing at the passengers. All hell broke loose. Many fell to the bullets. A scared Natwarlal told his children to run. While the son ran in another direction, Natwarlal and Devika moved towards the terrorists. Soon she was shot in the leg. She fell unconscious, but not before having a glimpse of Kasab from close quarters.