Mumbai police to file chargesheet in 26/11 strikes

NI Wire

Mumbai

Wed, 25 Feb 2009: 

Three months after the dastardly terror attacks nailed India’s commercial capital, Mumbai and stunned India on November 26 last year, Mumbai crime branch is all set to file a chargesheet against over 20 people, including the lone captured Ajmal Amir Kasab.

The document reportedly runs into 5,000 pas carrying vital evidences, statements, eyewitnesses’ account, CCTV footage, more pictures from MV Kuber- the vessel used by the terrorists to enter Mumbai, and the reports and forensic examination conducted by the FBI, which had been working along with the Central security agencies in the case.

"The nearly 5,000-page chargesheet is ready and will be filed before a Metropolitan Magistrate," special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam said without divulging any further details.

The Maharashtra government has decided to set up a special court for the hearing in the matter. Additional Session judge M L Tahilyani has been appointed as the special judge and Ujwal Nikam will be the prosecutor.

Besides Kasab, LeT operatives Zarar Shah and Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi—the suspected mastermind of the Mumbai carnage, Abu Hamza, Yosuf Muzzamil etc., including two Indians Faheem Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed—who allegedly conducted recee and provided maps and footage of vital installations to terrorists, has been named in the chargesheet.

It is reportedly stated in the chargesheet that the 10 terrorists who sailed from Karachi to Mumbai had accompanied one AK-47 each, 200 hand grenades and around 10,000 bullets. Police sources said that the Bomb Detection and the Disposal Squad (BDDS) had seized 16 hand grenades that were either not used or did not explode owing to some technical problem.

Kasab, whose Pakistani identity has been confirmed, and Pakistan itself has admitted Kasab as its national, will face charges ranging from waging war against the country to murder, attempt to murder, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and other provisions under IPC and MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act).

After filing chargesheet, the police could be able to take non-bailable warrant against the people, whose name is included in the list but are still at large, and thereby Interpol could issue red corner notice against them.