26/11 Anniversary: Meet Devika Rotawan, the youngest witness who testified against Ajmal Kasab

The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, one of the most horrifying acts of terrorism in Indian history, took place in South Mumbai on November 26, 2008. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (CST) Railway Station, and Nariman House were among the prominent targets of a series of coordinated attacks by ten armed militants from the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The incident left the entire country in a state of shock and families of those who lost their lives were left with pain that could possibly never fade. Amid all this, did you know that a little girl turned out to be a hero because of her courage? Yes, a girl named Devika Rotawan was the youngest witness to testify throughout the trial and recognized Qasab.

Meet Devika Rotawan, the youngest witness during 26/11 Mumbai attacks

Devika recognised Qasab in a crowded courtroom and was the youngest witness to testify during the trial. She calmly answered questions and took the oath. BBC claims that she was referred to as the "girl who identified Qasab" by the media.

Devika Rotawan escaped the terror attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 at the age of nine. She later identified the only surviving shooter in court after being shot in the leg.

What COVID-19 did to the Rotawan family

Back in 2020, as per ANI, Devika and her family were struggling to make ends meet. She even gave an interview to the news agency and said that she seeks financial assistance from the government.

After this happened, Zeeshan Ziauddin Siddique, member of the Maharashtra Assembly went to Devika’s house and gave her a cheque to help her family out.

Sharing photos, he wrote, “Meet Devika Rotawan. This brave girl was 9 yrs old when she identified terrorist Kasab in court after 26/11 attacks.She showed me her Bullet wound & I heard her inspiring story. Went to her house in Bandra East to give her a cheque when I found out about her financial struggle! I request Hon. @cmomaharashtra_ to give this brave girl a house in mumbai under special quota. I will be writing a letter for the same! We must award her for the bravery she has shown. This will be a great token of appreciation from the #MahaVikasAghadi government!.”

Devika, who has been talking about the incident ever since it happened has given endless number of interviews to media houses and more but she still remembers it like it was yesterday.?

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