26/11 Mumbai terror attacks: Wanted 'open trial', says Ujjwal Nikam

As India prepares to observe the 12th anniversary of the dastardly November 26 2008 2611 terror strikes in the countrys commercial capital Mumbai celebrated lawyer Padmashri Ujjwal Nikam revealed how in 2009 he insisted on a public trial in the caseActually the government considered holding an incamera trial given its sensitive nature with domestic regional and global political ramifications besides the massive security concerns I strongly urged that there should be an open transparent trial under full scrutiny of the world Nikam who was the Special Public Prosecutor in the case told IANSGiven the keen interest all over the government nodded its approval and what unfolded was the biggest legal war within the confines of a highsecurity Special Court set up inside the Arthur Road Central Jail in front of the domestic and international media leaving them stunnedWith a battery of lawyers and investigators SPP Nikam directed the government charge against the sole surviving terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab nabbed alive but only after a daredevil policeman Tukaram Gopal Omble sacrificed his own life in the valiant effort in the early hours of that cool morning of November 29 2008Probably it was the first time in the world that a savage guntoting terrorist was caught redhanded as he unleashed mayhem along with his 9 associates who were gunned down at various locations by the security forces in the 60hour fullfledged battle in South MumbaiStarting around late night of Nov 26 2008 the attackers struck with clinical precision at a dozen highprofile public locations leaving a trail of massive destruction and the final death count of 166 plus 300 injuredIndia can proudly proclaim that it was an unprecedented opencourt trial of a brutal terrorist never witnessed before by the world and has become a torchbearer on many counts and finally resulted in the noose for Kasab Nov 21 2012 said Nikam 67 honoured with a Padmashri 2016According to the SPP the most important aspect of the trial was its secular nature given the touchy political or religious overtones involved at different levelsThe trial Special Judge M L Tahiliyani the SPP Nikam Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mrs Rama V SawantVagule who recorded Kasabs maiden statement postarrest early morning of Nov 29 2008 the governmentappointed lawyers defending Kasab at different points Abbas Kazmi K P Pawar Amin Solkar and Ms Farhana Shah hailed from different religious backgroundsNevertheless they worked in a thoroughly professional manner with a common aim for justice but punctuated by many antics oft leading to murky or mirthful brawls between the tough prosecution and the aggressive defence while the country and world watched closelyFor instance the defence started by lobbing a legal grenade claiming Kasab was a minor which caught the prosecution unawares and created a huge fracas while the prosecution once hit back frowning at the delay tactics by the defence and contended how Kasab is feasting on Mutton Biryani in jail though both declarations proved false laterIn all these years nobody has ever viewed the trial in a communal sense not even a whisper of the respective faiths of any of the people having the slightest influence on the proceedings by religious fundamentalist on any side in India or Pakistanhellip It was purely a businesslike exercise for all concerned said NikamHe terms this as a tribute to the immense respect and credibility of the Indian justice system domestically and internationally as there have been absolutely no questions raised on the manner in which the trial was conducted the punishment handed out Kasab given full opportunity right up to the President of India and finally being executedHe wished that Pakistan could have shown similar traits of free fair credible and transparent proceedings as 7 of the accused in the 2611 case are facing a sham trial in a Kangaroo court thereKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever