Mumbai , March 31: A year and a half after the country’s worst terror attack, and more than a year after the trial of lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Aamir Kasab started, the special court hearing the 26/11 trial will pronounce its verdict on May 3.
The special court, presided over by judge M.L. Tahiliyani, was set up at Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail for the trial of Kasab and two Indians, Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed. The trial started in April 2009.

“The trial has ended and the prosecution has presented its evidence of the links between Kasab, the LeT and the Pakistani Army,” said state public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.
Kasab has been charged with killing 166 people and injuring over 300. He has been charged on 86 counts, including waging war against India, hatching a criminal conspiracy, murder and under other laws, like the Foreigners Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Properties Act, Customs Act, Passport Act, Arms Act, Explosives Act, Explosive Substances Act and Bombay Police Act. The two co-accused, Ansari and Ahmed, are charged with taking part in the conspiracy by drawing maps of targets and sending them to the LeT.
Before the trial began on April 17, 2009, Kasab had pleaded that he was a juvenile, but the court rejected his claim after examining prosecution witnesses and experts and ruled that he was above 20 years of age. The first witness in the trial gave evidence on May 8, saying he had seen Kasab gunning down sub-inspector Tukaram Ombale at Girgaum Chowpatty.
After examining 653 witnesses, including 30 eyewitnesses, Mr Nikam opened his final arguments in April, saying there was evidence to suggest that Pakistan was involved in the terror attacks.
Kasab had initially pleaded not guilty when the charges were framed, but in July 2009 he confessed, giving details pertaining to the attacks. He also confessed to the special court how he and the other nine deceased terrorists were trained by the LeT.
However, in December 2009, he retracted his confession, claiming he had been framed by the police. He claimed to have come to Mumbai to try to start a career in Bollywood and alleged he had been picked up by the police on the night of November 27 while strolling along Juhu beach.
The prosecution has presented voluminous evidence supporting its case against Kasab, Ansari and Ahmed, and has sought the death penalty for the accused.

Age Correspondent