Pakistan has sought the Interpol's help to get custody of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested during the terror siege on Mumbai in November, 2008, and his associate and fellow Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative Fahim Ansari.
Kasab and Ansari are being tried by a special anti-terror court in Mumbai for their role in planning and carrying out the 26/11 attack. The prosecution and defence lawyers have already presented their final arguments and the judge is scheduled to pronounce the verdict on May 3.
Will Pakistan's last-ditch effort to secure Kasab's custody affect the course of the trial in India?
The latest move by Pakistan is merely a gimmick, believes Joginder Singh, former chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation who has also served as a member of the executive council of the Interpol Secretariat General.
"The Interpol is not bound by any legal framework. The Interpol can issue a circular or a notice, but even if that happens, it would have absolutely no legal bearing since neither Kasab nor Ansari are absconding. They are being held and tried legally in an Indian court. The court can go ahead with the sentencing and there is no need for us to respond to any such notice even if it is issued by the Interpol," he told rediff.com.
Former Supreme Court Justice Santosh Hegde agreed with Singh, and pointed out that the court will not be deterred by such a notice.
"We are holding these men legitimately and they cannot be handed over if such a notice is circulated. Pakistan is just trying to pressurise India and it is clear that they are doing nothing but stooping low," he said.
"They are well aware that Kasab is in our custody and a legitimate trial is going on. This is just a counter measure on the part of Pakistan, in response to the dossier sent by us, in which we have sought the extradition of LeT's leaders," he added.
Hegde also termed Pakistan's last-ditch attempt a "very poor tactic being used internationally despite them being blamed for the terror attack."
