| Font Size |
The court also declared 16 people, including Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist, as "proclaimed offenders". The crew members of the two boats that ferried the 10 attackers to Mumbai are among them, sources said.
Anti-terrorism court Judge Malik Muhammad Akram Awan, who is conducting the trial at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for security reasons, framed the chargesheet against Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Abu al-Qama, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jamil Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younas Anjum.
The court also rejected the bail pleas of some of the accused. The suspects protested as charges against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Pakistan Penal Code were read out, sources said. All seven pleaded not guilty, their lawyers said.
The chargesheets came after an agonising spell of delays with India accusing Pakistan of not being serious in bringing to book the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks.
Shahbaz Rajput, one of the defence lawyers, said that the accused had pleaded not guilty as the charges against them were not backed up by evidence.
Lakhvi and the six other suspects were charged with providing accommodation and training facilities to the attackers as they prepared for the assault, the sources said.
Kasab and nine others reached Mumbai through sea route on November 26, 2008 and targeted several places, including Taj Mahal Hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, killing 166 people, including foreigners.
The accused were also charged with arranging transportation, including boats, and communication equipment, including mobile phone sets and internet-based communication gear, for the terrorists, the sources said.
The court scheduled the next hearing of the case for December 5.
At the last hearing of the case on Monday, the defence lawyers had contended that Kasab should be brought to Pakistan to face trial with the other accused.
They had said that since Kasab is the lone surviving attacker and his confession to Indian authorities formed a crucial part of the case built by Pakistani authorities against their clients, he should be brought to Pakistan to face trial.
Reporters are barred from covering the in-camera proceedings of the anti-terror court and there was no official word on today's proceedings.
The indictment of the suspects had been expected for some time as the Federal Investigation Agency, which probed Pakistani links to the attacks, had drawn up its first chargesheet as far back as May. Since then, the judge has been changed twice.
The trial also became mired in confusion and controversy after the accused claimed the court had tried to indict them in the absence of their lawyers. They filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, which said the anti-terror court could proceed with the indictment only after addressing the grievances of the accused.
Are d citizens of Pakistan ashamed of these terrorists, is the muslim community agitated by thier actions, the simply truth is no.Even a mother will accept death penalty to her son, if she is convinced dat,son is responsible for the mayhem and murder caused.Pakistan is ever ready to stand by its terrorists, for them they are JEHADIS and they subscribe to thier school of thought. If v r scared of China because of thier military prowess, why r v equally scared of Pakistan. All three r nuclear powers. Pakistan and china dont think twice abt waging A proxy war on India, while v r wary on taking on the naxals n Moaists. V r not a SOFT STATE but worse a EUNCH state.
if pakistan thinks that they were involved ina attack in indian soil why he is not depoted to india we were fool to think that this terrorists will be punished by pak law which is under control of ISI and taliban
It's tiring to see Pakistan claim to start proceedings against terrorists and claim that India is preparing to wage a war against them on the same day. That country is going from ridiculous to pathetic. And they keep on going - don't know what the next level will be because they keep on finding new lows in behavior and humanity.
Under US and Indian pressure, the Pakis have finally had to eat humble pie and indict Lakhvi.
Sir, this is a welcoming move which we really appreciate.We in India too should move forward by bringing to justice the criminals, fundamentalists and fanatics associated with RSS,VHP,Bajrang Dal and BJP.We Hindus are proud people, but we do not and will not stoop to BJP level.
Respected Sir. I think the Government of Pakistan has approached the right thinking to prosecute this person Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who deserves stern punishment by sending his men to kill innocent 166 persons in the name of his manic thought.We people of India hope the Government of Pakistan will assist the court in reaching its right decision.
This is Pakistani Tamasha. The reason being that MM Singh is in USA and there is a direct link being found by FBI between Paki ISI, army and Rana etc. Pakis are trying to shift the USA attention from their rogue army to Lakhvi. No mention of Hafeez the top man who India is looking for. Paki statements must be taken with a pinch of salt. All this generosity will be forgotten once FBI shift their attention to other matters away from Rana and Headley.
The lawyer said "....the accused had pleaded not guilty as the charges against them were not backed up by evidence...." It seems that he is saying that they did not plead guilty not because they were innocent but because there was no evidence.
Now the next big question is, What should be India's next step? Should they open the peace talks with Pakistan or Should they demand all the training camps be close before resuming those talks? I personally feel that India should keep an aggressive stance and demand those terror camps to be closed before any kind of talks may resume. I know a lot of positive came out of the India-US talks this week but I was not at all impressed by Manmohan Singh. He needs to be more outspoken about the issues and be agressive about it.
After so much of pressure from US and Europe, this is the result, not necessarily because of dossiers submitted by the Government. However, nothing still is being done on the terror training camps across the border, where unabated training is going on to push thousands of militants. Meanwhile, it is very likely, they are employing another trick of theirs: that is create needless controversies and bitterness over non-issues to divert our attention. And we are falling for it readily. Thses are controversies like a famous cricketer belonging to India or Mumbai or Mumbaiker versus Bihari etc., and media gets into a feeding frenzy to full coverage to the exclusion of real issues.
Marathis should apoligize for insulting hindi in Maharashtra.
Hello Pooja: please air your comments in Bodo land, eastern states or in south india, where you will see not only hindi being murdered but your life will be in danger for speaking for hindi. and then lets adress all those who are insulting hindi :)
Its been 1 year since 26/11 and still we are waiting for Pakistan to take action against the culprits and back home Kasab drama is going on.I dont understand why are waiting for US or the world to force Pakistan to take action against the culprits which I am very sure that they aren't interesated in it.Its high time India learns to take care of itself in terms of Pakistan rather than begging the world.Actually problem is that the cheapest thing in India is not a cup of roadside tea but an Indian life.Also no major blast has taken place in India for close to 1 year but I am very sure our neighbour will come up with something more spectacular than 26/11, killing more of my countrymen.Our spineless political class will then make some noises after that and then evrything back to normal and then they will call it the famed "Mumbai Spirit".Its high time we teach Pakistan a lesson instead of waiting for another blast to take place.
Separate Bombay from Maharashtra and center should take law and order in its control. Marathi criminals have hijacked law and order in Bombay.
Fully agree with you. May be we should also include the totally lawless areas (states) of UP, Bihar and then the Naxal states (like 6 of them) and the maoists states, J&K. Oh yeah, and then all those rapists in Delhi! so throw in Delhi and NCR too. I think it's time we declare an emergency all over the country. Problem is who should be the dectator then? Winston Churchil "Democracy is worst form of goverment. Unfortunately there is nothing better!"
Mr Ajay Date. You are intelligent gentlemen than other Indian. Your last sentence is the right evaluation of Rule of Law. Rule of Law is worth than Democracy of Winston Churchil. Winston Churchil Democracy is a word from the dictionary only come out from the mouth and worth for nothing.
Bihar and UP should have been assigned as permanent UT's in 1950.
Welll..its high time these gh @tis should be strapped of any high post in india...these people and wrecked city like mumbai in which they have no contribution...thesegh@tis only want to eat the on others hard work by asking mumbai...26/11 happened coz of mumbai gh@tis..had mumbai would have merged with gujarat,,today it would have been a much better place...useless gh@tis
Is it that Lakhvi is now being chargesheeted in order to stonewall any investigation on role of Pakistan army? I thought that there are new leads emerging from the arrests of Headley and Rana who might have been the execution guys of the real handlers. The voices on the tapes of terrorist conversations were of trained Army (like) commanders. I understand that the Headly Rana links have identified few serving generals of Pakistan Army. There is definite possibility that those might be the ones who were coordinating the attacks. My personal belief is that Mumbai attacks were another Kargil - Pakistan army's attack in disguise. The real culprits are sitting generals of Pakistan army and their governments - we need to go after them.
Yes, the chargesheeting of Lakhvi is as a patsy to avoid taking-out arch-goonda Hafiz Said, as well as to hide army (a proven criminal org, worse than Sicilian Mafia or Union Corse or even Colombian cartels) involvement. As you said, the real culprits are Pak army's generals including Kayani!
It is time Indian government start covert operations to hunt all this international terrorists and bring them to justice in India. It is also time for our fellow brothers in BJP, RSS, Shiv Sena to use their energy to build a strong India rather then destroying Mosques, churches, raping women. I saw a hundered comments or rather all comments with virulent attacks on Justice Liberhan. Instead get your workers to go and get this terrorists from pakistan. Let us see your true sacrifices and patriotism. Government and like minded parties should get together and implement a very tough set of laws and establish a power group to bar and lock up parties with communal agenda. Instead of blaming Congress and BJP and pointing finger at each other it is time to open a new chapter.
Its a drama ! How can Pak arrest these culprits; when the state (army) itself is involved. Anti-India psyche is deeply engraved in every heart of the pakistani (local and expatriates). They can not think out of the box>>>
And when will the judge release them with no charge? Keep watching this space!
This is definitely an outcome of UPA's effective foreign policy! Congratulations!
Appreciable Pak court action, but can not be belived till final dispose of case. now Pak govt came to know if feed will be given to snake certainly one day attack on feeder.
Timing of the indictment,coinciding as it does, with our Prime Minister's state visit to USA,evokes curiosity. Anyhow, its better late than never. One only hopes that indictment will be taken to its logical conclusion (what next?) without waiting for President Obama's visit to India.
Generally anyone aiding and abetting a crime are tried in the place where the crime has been committed. Pakistan is conducting a sham court and they also want Ajmal Kasab who is being caught and tried in India brought to Pakistan. Just break off all ties with the nation; Diplomatic and otherwise...
One year later, under pressure from the USA, charges have been laid against the Mumbai attackers. The question is will they be convicted and punished?
It would have been better if Pak had did it on their own, without any pressure from India and US. It is good to see there is hope for Humanity in PAK and from PAK.
This is to prepare grounds to allow manmoihan Singh to announce start of "composite" dialogue during CHOGM later this week. we are being fooloed again by the Pakis and our own PM.
WHAT EVER THIS BIGGEST BEGGERS AND LIARS SAYS IS NEVER TRUE . IT IS PLOY BY AMERICANS AND THIS ANIMALS WHO CHANGE THEIR COLOURS EVERY NOW AND THAN . THE CLOWN MUST HAVE TWISTED THE HANDS OF PUPPET SO ON RETURN HE WILL ORDER THE START OF " COMPOSITE DIALOGUE " . ON RETURN HE WILL APPEASE HER HOLYNESS , HIGHNESS THE ITALAIN QUEEN AND ANGLO INDIAN CROWN PRINCE BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION . THE DECISION WILL BE LEFT IN THE HANDS OF HIGH COMMAND .WHY CAN'T AMERICAN SAY THAT ALL TRAINING CAMPS HAS TO BE CLOSED DOWN REGARDLESS GOOD OR BAD ONE . ALL THOSE PLOTING TO EXPORT TERROR TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES MUST BE HANDED OVER TO FACE JUSTICE . BUT WILL AMERICAN DO IT ? NO. NOT IN MILLION YEARS . INDIA IS WASTING TIME RUNNING TO SELFISH COUNTRY .
Now, it's too late for you to open your eyes and saw the true color of the gov't and media's of the west. Most of your countrymen's and high ranking gov't officers love the western media and kowtow to their dictation, directive, instruction, order and have no senses of your self own decision's and vision's. And until now supporting the Terrorist Dalai Lama as a Holiness man and proclaimed him as holiness. This is what I say you eat your own venom medicines.
Do not be surprised on this action taken by Pak. This is just to take Ajmal Kasab back to Pakistan his home. ITS HARD TO BELEIVE pakistan.
