Kasab knocks at HC's door against death penalty

His plea, in the form of a letter to the jail authorities, has been forwarded to the Bombay High Court, along with the 1,500-page judgement of the trial court. Kasab has also requested the high court to provide him with a court-appointed lawyer from the legal aid panel for arguing his case.

Kasab’s decision to fight the lower court order comes within a month of the verdict, though he had 60 days to mull over filing an appeal. The high court can convert Kasab’s letter into an appeal, take it on record and can also provide him with a lawyer.

The matter will come up before the Bombay High Court, once it resumes work after the summer vacation. Meanwhile, the state government is also contemplating filing an appeal against the acquittal of the two co-accused, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, who were charged with providing maps of likely terror targets to LeT.

The trial court has also forwarded the judgment to the high court for the confirmation of the death penalty awarded to Kasab. The high court will simultaneously hear Kasab’s appeal against his conviction, the state’s appeal against the acquittal of the two co-accused and the confirmation of the death penalty awarded to the 22-year-old LeT terrorist.

Under the law, Kasab has a right to remain present before the high court, when it hears his appeal. The state will have to ensure that he is brought amidst tight security from the Arthur Road Jail, where he is currently lodged.

The trial court had convicted Kasab and sentenced him to death for the massacre of 166 persons in the worst-ever terror attack in the country, designed by the Pak-based Lashkar-e-Toiba. Kasab was held guilty of waging war against India, of being an LeT member and of attempting murder, kidnap and robbery.