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'Kasab must get death penalty'

Last Updated 03 May 2010, 17:59 IST
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Devika said: “I am very much happy to know that Kasab is proven guilty. I am eagerly waiting to know about the sentencing.”
While pronouncing the verdict, Judge Tahaliyani said evidence given by the girl has been appreciated and she has shown a lot of courage.

In June 2009, the little girl, who is now on crutches and her father maimed in 26/11 terror attack, identified Kasab in the court as one of the two gunmen who had opened fire at her and other passengers at the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).
Devika, who was constantly following news on TV channels on Monday, said: “Kasab has killed innocent people and deserves no mercy. The court must give him death penalty.”

No fear
“I had no fear seeing Kasab on the day when I identified him in the court. I was there to speak the truth. That blood thirsty Kasab had killed so many innocent people at CST. Everything happened in front of me,” Devika said.

The family of slain Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Tukaram Ombale, who caught Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab alive on November 26, 2008 midnight, was happy at Kasab’s conviction, but wanted nothing short of his death by hanging.
“It is good to hear that Kasab was found guilty. We were eagerly awaiting this since morning. He should be given death penalty. Only then, I think, my father’s sacrifice will have actual value,” an emotional Vaishali Ombale, 23-year-old daughter of the policeman, said.

It was Ombale’s unparallel courage and his supreme sacrifice that resulted in India getting its prized catch, a live Pakistani terrorist who was ready to spill beans while the attacks continued in parts of the metropolis.

Tukaram’s cousin Namdeo Ombale said: “I knew that Kasab would be convicted as he was clearly seen killing people on the night of terror attacks. Tomorrow (Tuesday) would be very crucial for us as the quantum of punishment in the case against Kasab would be decided and we want the court to give him death penalty.”

‘Not like Afzal Guru’
Smita Salaskar, wife of slain encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, was a bit sarcastic over the delay in convicting Kasab. “Yes, we are a democracy, so it is ok. But now he should be given death penalty and it should be carried out quickly, not like Afzal Guru, who is still alive.”

Afzal is a Parliament attack convict and is sentenced to death, although he has sought clemency from the President of India.  “After this verdict, there will be appeal in the high court, then the Supreme Court and it will go on... That would be meaningless,” Smita said.

“We justify all these things in the name of democracy, but we must understand that the first duty of democracy, of any regime, is towards protecting its people, not criminals like Kasab,” she said.
Congress MP Milind Deora said: “It is extremely important to hang Kasab,” the lone surviving terrorist out of the 10 who sailed to Mumbai from Karachi to carry out the attacks.
DH News Service & Agencies

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(Published 03 May 2010, 17:54 IST)

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