In a fitting end to the much publicized trial of Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving terrorist of 26/11, a death sentence was awarded to him on five counts, including waging a war on India. Judge M L Tahiliyani sentenced him to five life terms and five death penalties for his display of “exceptional depravity” during the Mumbai attacks. Kasab was found guilty of 80 of the 86 charges filed against him.
Kasab would now have the option of appealing to higher courts, and a pardon plea before President Pratibha Patil. However, given the evidence in the case including live TV footage of his crimes and severity of the terrorist attacks, it would be almost impossible for him to have the judgement reversed or reduced. Hopefully, it would bring closure to some victims of the Mumbai attacks.
The Indian Home Minister has termed the sentencing as a sign on the fearlessness, integrity and independence of Indian courts. What is commendable though is the speed at which the case was brought to trail, argued and won. But the real victory for the Indian government cannot be had until it has a fool-proof system in place to subvert any terrorist attack on Indian soil. Such system would require serious introspection and reform of the internal security apparatus, the wheels of which has been set in motion. It is necessary that the reforms do not lose steam midway due to few such court victories or attacks avoided.
The Kasab sentencing is a big moment in 26/11, but it is not big enough to allow complacency on part of the law enforcement agencies. Their work will get harder hereafter, as everything will inadvertently be compared to how the Mumbai attacks were handled. How fast and how well they improve will be the real closure for all Indians.
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