Death sentence to Kasab a result of fair legal process: U.S.

The death sentence awarded to Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman of the Mumbai terrorist attack, is a result of a fair and transparent judicial process of India, the US has said.

“This (trial of Kasab) was part of an Indian legal proceeding. Obviously, we have encouraged India and at times, in the aftermath, we have assisted India with the investigation, but this was the result of an Indian fair and transparent legal process,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley.

“We have extensive cooperation with India on counterterrorism and that will certainly continue,” Mr. Crowley said in response to a question at his daily press briefing yesterday.

Kasab, a Pakistani national, was awarded capital punishment on May 6 by a Mumbai special court. The court held him guilty of mass murder and waging war against India, by carrying out the terror strikes in November 2008.

Kasab’s death sentence has to be confirmed by the Mumbai High Court, where the matter would come up automatically. However, this is not the end of road of Kasab as he still has the option to appeal against the judgement before the High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court. He can also file a mercy petition before the President of India.