SC to decide on acquittal of 26/11 accused

The Supreme Court will on today hear the petition filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the acquittal of Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, the alleged Indian conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Former Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam and Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam will argue the case on behalf of the Maharashtra government.

The petition filed through advocate Sanjay Karabia has challenged the February 21 Bombay High Court order upholding their acquittal by the trial court. The two were acquitted for want of corroborative evidence.

The High Court had, however, confirmed the conviction and death sentence awarded to the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab.

Kasab has also moved the Supreme Court challenging his conviction and death sentence in the 26/11 attacks.

The High Court had upheld the death sentence of Kasab for the "brutal and diabolical" 26/11 Mumbai attacks aimed at "destabilising" the government.

Kasab's death penalty was upheld on charges of criminal conspiracy, waging war against the nation, IPC section related to murder and under sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

166 people died in the Mumbai attacks on November 26, 2008, following which Kasab and two Indian nationals were tried by a special court in Mumbai. Within a year, the special court gave Kasab death on five counts, while the accused Indians, Ansari and Shaikh, were let off for lack of evidence.