Pak Authorities Challenge Anti-terror Court Ruling, Plead for Declaring Kasab Fugitive

In 26/11 case, Pakistani officials have challenged the ruling of an anti-terrorism court which dismissed a petition to declare Ajmal Amir Kasab and Fahim Ansari as fugitives regarding the trial of seven suspects linked to the Mumbai attacks, reported PTI.

On behalf of the Special Investigation Group of the Federal Investigation Agency, Special Public Prosecutor Malik Rab Nawaz Noon moved a plea in the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court on Saturday to challenge the anti-terrorism court’s decision, report said citing unnamed sources.

In the four-page-petition, it is contended that the anti-terrorism court was not able to ‘technically’ satisfy itself and that by declaring them ‘proclaimed offenders’ or fugitives, they could not be brought back to Pakistan, said report.

Further, it argued that under Sections 87 and 88 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Kasab and Ansari could not be declared fugitives, report said.

It said that the anti-terrorism court had not fulfilled its obligations under these sections of the CrPC.

In an order issued on March 27, the anti-terrorism court had turned down the prosecution’s request to declare Kasab and Ansari as fugitives and said that they were in the custody of Indian authorities and facing trial in the Mumbai attacks case.

The plea filed on Saturday asked the Lahore High Court to instruct the anti-terrorism court to declare Kasab and Ansari as fugitives, said report.

The petition marks another twist in the trial of the seven Pakistani suspects, including Lashker-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who have been charged with planning and facilitating the Mumbai attacks.

Lawyers defending the seven suspects have contended that the trial of these seven suspects cannot be separated from that of Kasab and Ansari.

The lawyers have also demanded that the duo should be brought to Pakistan to face trial with the other suspects.