Sainik School in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) The Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested for opening of a new Sainik School in the State. A proposal for establishment of the new Sainik School in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh has received from the State Government in November 2007. The sites identified by the State Government for the purpose were inspected and not found suitable. The State Government was requested in July 2008 to identify fresh sites which meet the requirements but has not yet offered any fresh sites for the purpose. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri M.V. Mysura Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
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Park and Ride Bus Service for Central Secretariat Complex

(PIB NEWS) Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy today flagged off a free “Park and Ride” bus service for Central Government office complex to ease out parking problem and reduce inconvenience to visiting public and officials. On the occasion, Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit and MoS Urban Development, Shri Saugata Roy were also present.Inaugurating the service Shri Reddy said it would help visitors to Government offices who find it difficult to get parking+ slot in the compounds of Government buildings besides providing comfortable transport to the Government officials to visit other offices for meeting and other official work. The service has been started by the Ministry of Urban Development in collaboration with Govt. of NCT and CPWD. Now the visitor to the Government offices can park their cars in the parking lot of C-Haxagon and take a bus ride to any of the Government building located on either side of Rajpath. Similarly employees commuting through metro can take the ride from metro station to their offices. Government officers can visit other ministries without taking their official or personal car through the low floor AC bus under the service. The service will start from C-Haxagon (India Gate) and will run to and fro various Central Government offices located on either side of Rajpath. It will have two routes P-1 and P-2 in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction respectively. Route 1 will start from Haxagon and will pass through Jamnagar House, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, Red Cross, Transport Bhawan, North Block to Haxagon. Route 2 from Haxagon to Andhra Bhawan, IGNCA, Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, ‘G’ Block, Sena Bhawan, South Block to Haxagon.
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Andhra Pradesh seeks sister state ties with Washington

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh is keen to have a sister state relationship with the state of Washington in the US in view of several perceptible similarities between the two states. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Wednesday said his government wished to seek a sister state relationship with the state of Washington. He was speaking to a business delegation from Andhra Pradesh which is leaving for the US Wednesday night. Rosaiah hoped that it will be a win-win situation for Andhra Pradesh and Washington when the sister-state relations become a reality. The delegation led by the deputy speaker of the state assembly will showcase Andhra Pradesh in all its diversities along with its industrial incentives. There is a conducive atmosphere in the state for investment in various spheres. The investors could take advantage of the new industrial policy which offers the best incentives in the country, the chief minister said. The delegation will explore common areas of interest between the two states in various fields like trade, commerce, industry, education and culture. In a message to people of Washington, Rosaiah invited them to experience the investor and tourist friendly ambience of Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that multinational giants like Microsoft, Dell, IBM, Deloitte, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Amazon and Google already have state-of-art facilities in Hyderabad and Facebook recently announced plans to set up its first Asian operations here.
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Gayatri Projects Limited bags Rupees 2,200 crore road project

Hyderabad, May 05 : Gayatri Projects Limited (GPL), the Hyderabad-based leading Infrastructure Company has secured a road project worth Rupees 2,200 crore that involves four laning of Hyderabad-Karimnagar-Ramagundam road under public-private partnership on BOT basis.The project has been awarded by Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation (APSRTC) and the construction would be completed in 30 months.The project would be executed on a design, construct, finance, operate and maintenance (toll) basis with a concession period of 25 years, including the construction period.The concessioning authority would provide an equity support of Rs 454 crore.Managing Director, Gayatri Projects Limited Mr. Sandeep Reddy, in a statement said, The order from APSRTC validates the company's core competency in the road construction sector. Gayatri Projects Limited would share its responsibility in developing the state's infrastructure.
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World telecom conference to adopt action plan

Hyderabad, May 5 : A world telecommunication development conference here later this month will assess the growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) and adopt an action plan for the next four years to bring in benefits to all communities of the world.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to inaugurate the event being organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency. "A key objective is to promote international cooperation, regional initiatives and partnerships that can sustain and strengthen telecommunication infrastructure and institutions in developing countries," said a statement by the Geneva-based ITU. Beginning May 24, the event will continue till June 4. It will be attended by heads of state and government, ministers, heads of international organisations, development banks, regulatory agencies and private companies. The event would focus on issues like broadband connectivity, digital broadcasting, open source software, cyber security, E-accessibility for people with disabilities, e-applications in health care, human capacity building and emergency communications.
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Govt taking measures for women empowerment : CM

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the state government has initiated several measures for women empowerment and child protection.Launching the AP State Society for Protection and Empowerment of Women and Children and Integrated Child Protection scheme of the Women Development and Child Welfere department here, he said the Centre and the State government had taken effective measures for the empowerment of women and child protection. Voicing concern over incidents of women harassment and child abuse, he said the departments concerned should strictly enforce the law to punish the guilty.Expressing displeasure over the prevalence of gender discrimination, he urged the parents to treat both male and female child in an equal manner.Stating that trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation was a heinous crime, he said the state government was committed to prevent it and take steps for the welfare and rehabilitation of the victims.
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Max temperatures soar, despite rains in AP

Hyderabad, May 5 : The maximum temperatures rose at a few places over Telangana and at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) and Rayalaseema, despite isolated rains in several parts of CAP and Telanganna.According to Weather office here today, the maximum temperatures were above normal at a few places over CAP and normal over Telangana and Rayalaseema.Rain occurred at a few places over Rayalaseema, while isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.Rajampet recorded five cm rainfall, followed by Kollapur four cm, Pakala, Palamaner, Puttur, Venkatagiri Kota two each and Tirupathi, Alur, Yemmiganur, Chintalapudi, Kuppam, Peddapuram, Prathipadu and Udayagiri one each.The highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala.The weather office predicted that isolated rain or thundershowers might occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana.
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ISNA Commends Efforts of Law Enforcement, Condemns Attempted Bombing at Times Square, and Lauds Alert Citizens

(Deccan Samachar Service)May,5. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) joins the Muslim American community and the rest of our fellow citizens in expressing its appreciation of the outstanding work done by the various law enforcement agencies in investigating and apprehending the alleged perpetrator(s) of the botched attack on New York and its residents.At the same time, ISNA condemns in the strongest terms the planned attack on innocent city-dwellers of every race and creed. The attack, described by the alleged sponsors as a sort of "pay-back" or "revenge", is "inexcusable and without any justification in Islam or authentic Muslim tradition", said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of ISNA. "Even the murder of a single innocent person is abhorrent and in direct contradiction to the clear and unequivocal teachings of our faith (Quran Chapter 5,Verse 32), let alone the mass murder of unsuspecting innocent bystanders in a crowded square", she added. ISNA is thankful to the vigilance of alert and loyal residents of New York city including Senegalese Muslim Aliou Niasse, who first noticed and pointed out the suspicious smoke coming from the vehicle, Lance Orton, who called the police, and Officers Wayne Rhatigan and Pam Duffy for acting swiftly and courageously to contain the damage and prevent the loss of life and limb of fellow Americans.ISNA asks Muslim Americans to stay true to their faith in rejecting any ideas or actions that tolerate or attempt to justify the use of terrorism for any purpose or by any group. ISNA also calls on them to stand with their fellow Americans in securing the homeland against any terrorist acts. =========================================================

India likely to give Kasab judgment copy to Pakistan

India is likely to provide Pakistan a copy of the judgment of the Mumbai special court that held Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. According to home ministry sources, the judgment will help the Pakistan government take action against Jamaat-ud-dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and Laskhar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the masterminds of the Mumbai attack that left 166 people dead and 244 injured.While Lakhvi is in Pakistani custody, Saeed is still free.A special court in Mumbai Monday pronounced Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive during the Nov 26-29 carnage, guilty while acquitting two Indian co-accused — Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed. The quantum of punishment is likely to be announced Thursday.The court also found the involvement of 20 other Pakistanis, including Lakhvi, Saeed and Abu Hamza, in the 26/11 terror attack.India has given several dossiers to Pakistan, urging strong action against Hafiz Saeed. Pakistan has, however, claimed that the evidence provided was not strong enough to stand scrutiny in court.
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Andhra Pradesh Govt rejects CPI request on Bhargava Report

Hyderabad, May 4 : The Deputy Secretary and Public-Information Officer, Government of Andhra Pradesh, rejected the petition filed by the State Unit of Communist Party of India (CPI) Secretary K Narayana urging for the copy of 41-year-old report of Bhargava Commission, constituted by the State Government pertaining to the income and expenditure on Telangana Region.The Deputy Secretary, in a reply dated April 30 addressed to Mr Narayana,said report of the Bhargava Commission, which was constituted in 1969 by the State Government, had been examined and they were unable to provide the information in terms of orders issued by the Centre as the information sought was to 41-years old and no records had been traced out at government level.When the government rejected his plea, Mr Narayana today addressed a letter to the Chairman of the Srikrishna Commission, Mr Justice Sri Krishna, urging him to direct the Andhra Pradesh Government to submit the Bhargava Commission Report before the Commission and also give a copy to him in the interest of the justice.In the letter, Mr Narayana said Bhargava Commission report was an important document to strenghthen the reports and arguments of the party on the Telangana issue.''Since the State Government had rejected the party's plea, ''We request you to procure the report,'' CPI Secretary added in the letter.
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ACB raids residence of Ranga Reddy Joint Collector

Hyderabad, May 4 : Sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today raided the residence of Joint Collector of Ranga Reddy District of Andhra Pradesh. According to ACB Joint Director Sampath Kumar, properties worth Rs four crore, including bank balance and cash of Rs 15 lakh were recovered during the raid from the residence Jewells recovered at Joint Collector M. Jagan Mohan's house in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Photo: Special Arrangement of Joint Collector Dr M.Jagan Mohan(IAS) here.The Joint Collector owned six residential flats, an equal number of house plots, one-and-half kg gold jewellery and LIC premiums worth Rs 15 lakh.Raids were still continuing in his residences and the relatives of the Joint Collector.Further details were awaited.        (photo by "the hindu")

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Police nab Lashkar militant in Hyderabad,

Hyderabad, May 4 : Andhra Pradesh Police arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative here on Tuesday.The militant has been identified as Mohammad Zia Ul Haq alias Abu Abdullah.Addressing the media persons A K Khan, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, said that the militant was planning to commit a major incident in the twin cities (Hyderabad and Secunderabad). "He was trying to commit a big action in Hyderabad. After an alert, and also after working out the information today he has been picked up along with the explosives and the fire arm that he had," said Khan.He further said that this militant was involved in the blast that took place at Odeon Theatre in the city during 2006.Reportedly, Zia Ul Haq was studying in Saudi Arabia where he was roped in by the LeT operatives.Two Chinese grenades, one Chinese 7.4 pistol with 6 rounds and one LG cell phone was recovered from his possession.
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Lahkar-e-Taiba operative jailed for 14 days,

Hyderabad, May 4: A city court Tuesday sent an alleged operative of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to judicial custody for two weeks a day after he was arrested.Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq, who was arrested by the Hyderabad police Monday, was presented before the VIIIth additional metropolitan magistrate Tuesday evening. The accused, who allegedly underwent arms training in Pakistan, was shifted to Cherlapally Jail on the city outskirts after the magistrate remanded him in judicial custody. Police claimed that 34-year-old Zia was planning attacks "to inflict maximum damage". Police Commissioner A.K. Khan, however, said he had no specific targets. Zia, a native of Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh and residing here for the last several years, was arrested on the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border. His arrest came amid reported warnings by central intelligence agencies about possible terror attacks in the city. Two grenades of Chinese make, one 7.4 mm pistol with six rounds and a cell phone were recovered from him. According to the police commissioner, Zia was also involved in the grenade attack in Odeon Cinema theatre in Hyderabad in 2006. Two people were injured in the attack. Police claimed that he was trying to revive his contacts with LeT handlers. He was tasked to cause explosions in Hyderabad by using the remaining material - two grenades and a pistol.
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Top Andhra official held for corruption

Hyderabad, May 4: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Andhra Pradesh Tuesday arrested a top official in Hyderabad for possessing assets disproportionate to his income.Sleuths of the ACB searched the office and residences of Ranga Reddy district Joint Collector M. Jaganmohan and recovered assets worth over a staggering Rs.20 crore. Jaganmohan, promoted from the state service to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), was arrested after series of raids on his office and residences in Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. ACB officials said he would be presented before a magistrate. During the raids, which began early Tuesday morning at his residence in the posh Banjara Hills, ACB officials recovered 1.5 kg gold, Rs.15 lakh in cash, documents relating to payment of Rs.10 lakh as premium of insurance policies. ACB Joint Director Sampat Kumar told reporters that Jaganmohan owns two independent houses, four flats and land at six places in and around Hyderabad. ACB officials said they were yet to open three bank lockers of the joint collector and verify his bank accounts. They said the ACB registered a case against the joint collector for having assets disproportionate to his known source of income. The raids were conducted by the ACB on a complaint that the joint collector is involved in corruption. Jaganmohan, a state cadre official who was promoted to IAS rank, is one of the top officials to be arrested for graft in recent months. In February this year, Andhra Pradesh assembly special secretary K. Gopalakrishna was arrested by the ACB for corruption and assets worth Rs.15 crore were seized from him. In 2008, the ACB arrested fisheries department executive engineer V. Suryanarayana and recovered assets worth Rs.30 crore from him.
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Kasab – how a poor Pakistani became India’s terror nightmare

From the bylanes of a village in Pakistan to a heavily guarded prison cell in Mumbai as India’s most wanted terrorist, Ajmal Amir Kasab had indeed come a long way in his 23 years. The lone Pakistani terrorist to be caught alive after the 26/11 terror attack was Monday held guilty, closing one more chapter in his troubled life.Kasab, who became the face of the 2008 Mumbai mayhem that left 166 people dead with shots of his casually striding into the Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus with a gun and a backback captured on CCTV that has remain imprinted in public memory, was indoctrinated into the Lashkar-e-Taiba after he left home following a fight with his parents.It was Nov 26, 2008. The heavily armed Kasab, who was Monday held guilty on 83 of 86 charges by a special court, with nine other terrorists had sneaked into India’s buzzing financial and entertainment capital from Pakistan to unleash 60 hours terror that shook India. He was the only one to be arrested while the rest of his group were gunned down by security personnel.Born to poverty in Faridkot village in Okara district in Pakistan’s Punjab province in 1987, he left school because his parents couldn’t afford it.When he was barely in his teens, he shifted to Lahore and began to live with his elder brother.A fight with his parents in 2005 changed his life and a determined Kasab vowed never to return.He began working as a labourer and then took to petty crime to earn quick money. It was during these days that Kasab was indoctrinated into the LeT and underwent the terror group’s basic training, the Daura-e-Aam.He did well in the basic course and was selected for advanced combat training – the Daura-e-Khaas.Kasab was then selected with nine others to undergo special training where they would learn about commando warfare and navigation.They carefully studied the layout of Mumbai before embarking on a journey that would end in a terror strike, leading to a new low in the relations between the two nuclear armed nations.
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Muslim groups demand fresh probe into"Mecca Masjid blast"

Hyderabad, May 3: Muslim groups in Hyderabad have demanded a fresh probe into the 2007 bomb blast at Mecca Masjid in view of the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) revelation that the 2007 blasts at the historic mosque and the Ajmer shrine were linked.The CBI and Rajasthan's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) believe that the  blast at the Hyderabad mosque and the Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi dargah in Ajmer are the handiwork of same group. The CBI, which is probing the Mecca Masjid blast, reportedly got some leads after the Rajasthan ATS arrested Devender Gupta and Chandrasekhar Patidar of the Hindu group Abhinav Bharat in connection with the Oct 11, 2007 blast at the Ajmer dargah that killed three and injured 30 people. The Mecca Masjid blast May 18 the same year had claimed claimed nine lives. Five people had died in subsequent police firing on protestors near the mosque. Muslim groups are now demanding that the CBI reopen the mosque blast case and probe the involvement of Hindu activists, including Col P.S. Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who also belong to Abhinav Bharat and are accused in a 2008 bombing in Malegaon in Maharashtra that killed six people. The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), the key Muslim political party here, has called for a "thorough probe" to unravel the truth. MIM leaders alleged investigating authorities were going soft on the real culprits and hence no progress could be made for three years. They pointed out that no sincere efforts were made to probe the involvement of Hindu terrorist groups and interrogate Sadhavi, Purohit and other accused in the Malegaon blast. Tameer-e-Millat, a Muslim socio-religious organization, has urged the government to reopen the case. It regretted that five minutes after the blast the police, without even initial probe, blamed the Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami (HuJI) and other organisations belonging to some Muslim countries. "It appears some police officials did not want the investigations into the involvement of Hindu outfits," the group said in a statement. Home Minister P. Chidambaram had said during his visit to Hyderabad last year that the Mecca Masjid blast case had turned "cold" as the two primary suspects were dead. Police claimed that Shahid Bilal, a key suspect in the case, was killed in a shootout in Pakistan a few weeks after the mosque blast. Shahid, a native of the city, was allegedly working for the HuJI. Another suspect was also presumed dead. Immediately after the blast in the 17th century mosque, the police blamed Bilal, who was also considered the mastermind behind the terror attacks in other parts of south India during last few years. The Tameer-e-Millat also alleged that police concocted a story that the blasts in Lumbini Pak and Gokul Chat were carried out to avenge the blast at Mecca Masjid. The near simultaneous blasts at Lumbini Park and a popular eatery Gokul Chat in Hyderabad Aug 25, 2007 had killed 43 people. "It is surprising that the alleged accused in the twin blasts were arrested but the culprits in Mecca Masjid blast are still at large," it said. Muslim groups have also demanded action against police officials who blamed Muslim youths for the Mecca Masjid blast, arrested and tortured them. They pointed out that the police also conducted narco analysis test on some innocent Muslim youths and demanded their immediate release.
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Temp soar at many places in coastal Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, May 3 : The temperatures rose at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, at a few places over Rayalaseema and one or two places over Telangana.According to Met office here maximum temperature was above normal at one or two places over coastal AP and normal over Telangana and Rayalaseema.Isolated rain occurred over Telangana and Rayalaseema. Weather has been dry over the coastal Andhra Pradesh.Rainfall recorded in cm: Rayadurg 3, Hakimpet, Kadiri, Pulivendala and Vikarabad 2 each and Dummagudem, Kalyandurg and Tandur one each.The highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala. The weather office said isolated rain or thundershowers would occur over Telangana, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
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Confer Nat status for Polavam, Pranhita-Chevella projects:TDP

Hyderabad, May 3: Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to confer 'National Project' status to Pranahita-Chevella and Polavaram projects.In a letter to Prime Minister, copy of which was made available to the press here, Mr Naidu urged him to help the people of the state in fulfilling the long pending demands for conferring National Project status to the two projects.'I wish to impress upon you the need to confer the status of ''National project'' to Indira Sagar Irrigation Projct (Polavaram Project) and the B R Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Ssravanthi (Pranahita-Chevella project) of Andhra Pradesh as a special case.' Both these projects were very crucial and unless the Union Government supports by treating them as National projects, it would be very difficult for the state government to complete these two projects in the near future, he said.The Polavaram project, which has been pending for long, caters to the needs of people in number of districts providing irrigation to nearly 7 lakh acres in the state and power generation. Similarly, Prajanihta-Chevella project was aimed at providing irrigation to 16.40 lakh acres in seven drought-prone districts of the state apart from drinking water supply to capital city.'In the name of 'Jalayanam', the state government has so far spent Rs 51,000 crore during the last five years without expansion of irrigation facilities which was pointed by the Planning Commission also. It is estimated that another Rs two lakh crore are needed to complete all these projects,''Mr Naidu pointed out.Under these circumastances, the state government could not complete these priority projects on its own, he added.
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3 killed, 2 injured in road accident,

Hyderabad, May 3: Three people were killed and two injured when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a lorry at Gunagalla-Nagarjuna Sagar road at Yacharam in Ranga Reddy district today.According to police, five persons were travelling in a car to Brahmanapalli in Mahaboobnagar district to attend a marriage function when the lorry coming from the opposite direction dashed against the car killing two persons on the spot. Another person succumed to injuries while being shifted to hospital.The other two injured were admitted to local hospital, police added.
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Judgement Day for 26/11 terrorist

Almost one-and-a-half years after 10 Pakistani terrorists struck in the heart of India’s financial and entertainment capital, the country is waiting anxiously for the verdict Monday on Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive in the bloody 60-hour siege whose live TV coverage had much of the world in thrall.Mumbai Special Judge M.L.Tahilyani  will deliver his judgement  in the case that has seen as many as 653 witnesses being examined, a 675-page written submission being filed and several ups and downs – even as Kasab stayed in a high security cell.On Monday, Kasab will be pronounced guilty or otherwise. Then the quantum of sentence will be argued before the court and the actual punishment will be awarded. The maximum punishment Kasab can get is death penalty.The case may or may not go into the higher courts depending on the judgement.The audacious attack Nov 26, 2008, targeted sites like the World Heritage building of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, Hotel Oberoi-Trident, the Cama Hospital and the Chabad House, a Jewish prayer centre, and the favourite haunt of foreigners, Leopold Café.
The assault and the massacre that followed stunned the world and left 166 people dead and 244 injured.Kasab’s trial, which started April 15, 2009, was completed March 31 this year, after nearly seven months of hearing, excluding breaks and vacations. The prosecution case was led by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.The witnesses included many survivors of the terror attacks, eyewitnesses, family members of the victims, police officials, several foreign nationals, Indian security officials and officials from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).The high-profile trial revolved around Kasab and two Indian co-accused, Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed.Kasab has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including waging war against the nation. Besides, he faces charges under the Explosives Act, the Arms Act, the Passport Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Properties Act, the Customs Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Bombay Police Act, the Foreigners Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.The two Indian co-accused have been charged with conspiracy in the terror attacks – preparing maps of the targeted locations and handing these to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives.The trio was lodged in Arthur Road Central Jail premises in south Mumbai where an air-conditioned Special Court was also set up for the trial, as part of security measures.Kasab was lodged in a solitary ‘anda’ (oval) cell which was reinforced with layers of cement and steel capable of thwarting any major attacks or bomb blast.Several roads outside the jail were made out of bounds for the general public or limited access was granted to vehicles after a thorough security check even before the trial as Kasab and his cohorts were lodged there.A small section of the ongoing Mumbai metro railway project was also held up as it was close to the jail premises.Kasab had come to Mumbai via the Arabian Sea route with nine other associates, all of whom were killed during the 60-hour operation by combined security forces. Their bodies were preserved in the morgue of Sir J.J. Hospital, barely a couple of kilometres away from Arthur Road Central Jail.The Maharashtra government quietly disposed of the bodies in January this year. So far details of how and where the bodies were disposed of continue to elude the media.Kasab seemed to enjoy the trial. At various times, he was seen laughing and giggling in court. He also complained of bad food, illness and attempts to poison him.He made demands for things like perfumes, soaps, newspapers, permission to offer ‘namaz’ and new clothes – many of them rejected by the Special Court. All this prompted Nikam to call Kasab “an actor par excellence” several times.The accused showed all his moods – sombre at times, jovial and cheerful often, crying at times, shocked and awed when shown some of the evidence or by the accounts of witnesses.In July last year, Kasab grabbed headlines by ‘confessing’ to his crimes in the 26/11 attacks.“Hang me, please,” Kasab pleaded two days after he made a dramatic confession and gave a chilling blow-by-blow account of his part in the attacks.“I have committed the crimes on this earth and the people of the world should punish me. I don’t want god’s punishment. But, if somebody feels that I have confessed to escape the death penalty, the court can definitely hang me,” Kasab pleaded.Later, he demanded a trial in an international court of justice, saying he had no faith in the Indian courts, while co-accused Ansari demanded video-recording of the entire trial.The special judge promptly dismissed the pleas on grounds that they were “mischievous” and intended to “delay the proceedings”.Besides Nikam, the defence lawyers, including Kasab’s lawyer K.P. Pawar, Ansari’s lawyer R.B. Mokashi and Ahmed’s lawyer Ejaz Naqvi, were involved when the final arguments were completed.While one lawyer – S.G. Abbas Kazmi – was removed, another representing Fahim, lawyer Shahid Azmi, was killed during the trial in early February. ======================================================