Ajmal Kasab¡¯s trial timeline: The 26/11 Mumbai attacks are remembered as one of the most shocking events in India¡¯s history. This horrifying act of terrorism shook the entire nation. Among the ten attackers, Ajmal Kasab was the only one captured alive, and his trial became a key moment in India¡¯s legal and security history. Here¡¯s a simple breakdown of the attack and the events that followed during Kasab¡¯s trial.
On 26 November 2008, Mumbai faced a coordinated terror attack carried out by ten heavily armed men from the Pakistan-based terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The attackers arrived in Mumbai by sea and targeted popular landmarks like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), and Nariman House.
- The terrorists used automatic weapons and grenades to attack crowded areas.
-According to reports, 166 people were killed, including 18 security personnel and 26 foreigners.
-Over 300 people were injured during the attacks.
-Hostages were taken at multiple locations, leading to intense battles between the attackers and security forces.
The attacks continued for four days, causing panic across the city. The Indian National Security Guard (NSG) and other security forces worked tirelessly to rescue hostages and eliminate the attackers. Nine terrorists were killed during the operation, but one, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive, paving the way for his trial.
Ajmal Kasab¡¯s trial was a crucial step in bringing justice to the victims of the 26/11 terror attack. Below is a detailed timeline of key events related to the trial:
| Date | Timeline |
|---|---|
| November26, 2008 | Kasab, along with nine other terrorists, launched the attack on Mumbai. |
| November27, 2008 | At 1.30 AM, Kasab was arrested after being injured during a shootout and taken to Nair Hospital. |
| November29, 2008 | Security forces secure all attack sites; nine terrorists are killed. |
| November30, 2008 | Kasab confessed to his crimes in police custody. |
| December 27-28, 2008 | An identification parade is conducted. |
| Date | Timeline |
|---|---|
| January 13, 2009 | Special Judge M. L. Tahaliyani was appointed to oversee the trial. |
| January 16, 2009 | Arthur Road Jail was selected as the trial venue to ensure high security. |
| February 5, 2009 | Kasab¡¯s DNA matches evidence found on the boat Kuber. |
| February 20-21, 2009 | Kasab confessed before a magistrate but later withdrew his statement. |
| February 22, 2009 | Ujjwal Nikam is appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor. |
| February 25, 2009 | A charge sheet is filed against Kasab and two others. |
| April 1, 2009 | Anjali Waghmare is assigned as Kasab¡¯s defence lawyer. |
| April 15, 2009 | Anjali Waghmare is removed as Kasab¡¯s lawyer. |
| April 16, 2009 | Abbas Kazmi takes over as Kasab¡¯s lawyer. |
| April 17, 2009 | Kasab¡¯s earlier confession is read in court, but he retracts it. |
| April 20, 2009 | The prosecution accuses Kasab of 312 offences. |
| April 29, 2009 | Experts confirm Kasab is not a minor. |
| May 6, 2009 | Kasab is formally charged with 86 crimes but denies them all. |
| May 8, 2009 | The first eyewitness testifies and identifies Kasab. |
| June 23, 2009 | Non-bailable warrants are issued against 22 individuals, including Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. |
| November 30, 2009 | Abbas Kazmi is removed as Kasab¡¯s lawyer. |
| December 1, 2009 | K. P. Pawar replaces Kazmi. |
| December 16, 2009 | The prosecution concludes its arguments. |
| December 18, 2009 | Kasab denies all charges in court. |
| Date | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2010 | Closing arguments conclude, and Judge M. L. Tahaliyani reserves the verdict for May 3, 2010. |
| May 3, 2010 | Kasab was found guilty, while two Indian suspects, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, were acquitted. |
| May 6, 2010 | Kasab was sentenced to death by the trial court. |
| Date | Timeline |
|---|---|
| February 21, 2011 | The Bombay High Court upholds Kasab¡¯s death sentence. |
| March 2011 | Kasab writes to the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court¡¯s decision. |
| October 10, 2011 | The Supreme Court of India confirmed the death penalty, rejecting all of Kasab¡¯s appeals. |
| October 10, 2011 | Kasab tells the court he was brainwashed into committing the crime and pleads against the death penalty, citing his young age. |
| October 18, 2011 | The Supreme Court agrees to hear the Maharashtra government¡¯s appeal against the acquittal of Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed. |
| Date | Timeline |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2012 | Kasab argues in court that his trial was unfair. |
| February 23, 2012 | The Supreme Court reviews recorded communications between the attackers and their Pakistani handlers and watches CCTV footage of the attack. |
| April 25, 2012 | After a two-and-a-half-month-long hearing, the Supreme Court reserves its judgement. |
| August 29, 2012 | The Supreme Court upholds Kasab¡¯s death sentence and the acquittal of two alleged Indian co-conspirators. |
| October 16, 2012 | The Union Home Ministry advises the President to reject Kasab¡¯s mercy petition. |
| November 5, 2012 | The President of India rejected Kasab¡¯s mercy petition. |
| November 8, 2012 | The Maharashtra government is informed about the President¡¯s decision. |
| November 21, 2012 | Kasab is executed at Yerawada Jail in Pune. |
-Improved Security: The attack exposed weaknesses in India¡¯s security system, leading to significant reforms in counter-terrorism measures.
-Global Attention: The attacks and Kasab¡¯s trial highlighted the dangers of cross-border terrorism and drew international focus on the issue.
-Justice Delivered: Kasab¡¯s trial and execution demonstrated India¡¯s commitment to justice, even for cases involving extreme violence and terror.
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was a wake-up call for India. It not only showed the strength and resilience of the people and security forces but also highlighted the need for better preparedness. Sixteen years later, the memories of those days still serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by many to protect the nation.
For more news and current affairs?from around the world, please visit?Indiatimes News.