The options before Ajmal Kasab

With the Bombay high court confirming the death sentence handed down by the special court to Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11terror attack case, the state government will now set in motion the process to hang him.

However, the legal road for Kasab does not end here.

Kasab can file an appeal before the Supreme Court. Once an appeal is filed before the Supreme Court, the verdict of the high court is stayed and another round of arguments would commence. If Kasab does not get relief from the Apex court, he could then seek a pardon from the President.

Normally in such a circumstance, it is the jail superintendent who would have to tell Kasab about the rights he has before him.

This would be done once the order copy of the Bombay high court is served on him. If Kasab decides to go in for an appeal, then the jail superintendent would convey the same to the state government, which will need to keep the high court order in abeyance.

In the case of Sabahuddin and Fahim Ansari, who were acquitted by the high court on Monday, the procedure would commence with the state government.

The state government will now go in appeal against the order of acquittal before the Supreme Court and seek reversal of the order.

Image: File photo of Ajmal Kasab at the special trial court