Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam termed today's Supreme Court's order upholding the death sentence for 26/11 Mumbai attacks convict Mohammed Ajmal Kasab as a pathfinding decision. Nikam, who appeared for the Maharashtra government in both the Bombay High Court and in the Supreme Court with leading counsel Gopal Subramaniam, in an interview with Sanjay Jog said the historical judgement has proved that the Mumbai terror attacks were plotted in Pakistan.
What is your reaction on the Apex Court's judgement?
This an historical judgement for two reasons. Firstly, we have established that the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai were aimed at waging war against India. Secondly, we have proved that criminal conspiracy behind the attacks were hatched in Pakistan. No mercy should be shown to Kasab in the wake of today's order. This is a case where we have further established that this is an attack on sovereignty of India.
How the judgement crucial for India?
The findings of the Supreme Court would boost our moral stand on international platform that terrorist activities are still being sponsored in Pakistan. Therefore we can bring the pressure through international platform on Pakistan for taking serious action against the perpetrators of terror attack of 26/11 who are still in Pakistan against whom the Pakistan is not proceeding with seriously.
In your view what should be Pakistan's response to today's order?
The Pakistan should expedite 26/11 trial especially in the wake of today's order delivered by the Supreme Court. The prosecution in Pakistan should not delay the trial on the ground that India has to furnish evidence because conspiracy behind the terror attacks was hatched in Pakistan and it is for them to prove the same,
What is your comment on Kasab's charge that he was not given proper opportunity to defend himself?
The Supreme Court has dismissed Kasab's petition that he was not given a fair trial in the 26/11 terror case by a Mumbai special court. Kasab had also claimed that his alleged acts do not fall under the terrorist category. Besides, Kasab pointed out that he was not provided legal consultation before reading his confession. However, the two-judge bench of Justic Aftab Alam and Justice C K Prasad observed that the confessional statement of Kasab was very much voluntary. The judges added that not providing a counsel to Kasab by the government at pre-trial stage did not vitiate his trial in the case.