Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said that the conviction of Ajmal Kasab and the acquittal of two local accomplices in the Mumbai attack case shows India is governed by the rule of law but sends a message to Pakistan that it should not export terror.
"The court has convicted certain accused. It also acquitted two accused. That shows the independence, fearlessness and integrity of the court," he told reporters while reacting to the judgment of a Mumbai court. He said that it was an open trial, in accordance with the law, and full opportunities were given to the accused to defend themselves.
"I am satisfied that within a year, we have been able to bring a verdict of conviction of a large number of accused in perhaps a very complex trial. The trial undermines the fact that India is a country governed by the rule of law. A criminal trial can only proceed step by step and within a year, the prosecution has been able to get conviction," he said.
Asked whether the outcome of the trial carried a message for Pakistan, the home minister said, "It is a message to Pakistan that they should not export terror to India. If they do and if the terrorists are apprehended, we will be able to bring them to justice and give them exemplary punishment".
Happy over the trial ending in conviction, Chidambaram complimented the investigating agencies and prosecution for marshalling evidence that proved beyond doubt the horrific crimes Kasab and his associates were charged with. Despite demands swayed by anger and emotions, he said, the government decided that Kasab and associates should be tried in accordance with the law, given all the rights available to any accused.
Asked if Kasab's case would meet the same fate as Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, whose mercy petition against death sentence is pending, Chidambaram expressed surprise over why the media was obsessed with the issue like the Opposition.
"The Opposition may be obsessed with Afzal Guru. I have explained (this issue) so many times and I am surprised that you media are repeating the question," he said.
"We will take up each case according to the order in which the case is pending before the home ministry and before the President of India. So, the cases will be taken up one by one," he said. The home minister said his ministry already has sent four cases for reconsideration to the President.
"Please remember that all these cases have been sent to the President once. After reconsideration, we have sent four cases to the President. We will continue to send cases to the President. No one can speak about what the President will do. I think we should respect the office of the President," he said.
