26/11 case: SC likely to take up Kasab's letter challenging death penalty

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is likely to take up on Friday Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab's letter challenging the death penalty awarded to him in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, had moved the apex court on July 29 in this regard.

Kasab moved the Supreme Court against the Mumbai High Court's order upholding the death penalty.

The Bombay High Court had earlier in February this year confirmed the death penalty to Kasab, terming the case as rarest of rare and holding there was 'no scope of reform' of the convict.

A Mumbai Special Court on May 6, 2010, sentenced Kasab to death on four counts.

Judge M L Tahaliyani awarded the death sentence for Kasab on-waging war against India, murder, conspiracy to murder, and participating in an act of terror under Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA).

Kasab, who is the 52nd prisoner on death row in India, was also awarded a life term on five other counts.

It maybe recalled that ten gunmen from Pakistan arrived in Mumbai via sea route on November 26, 2008 and started firing indiscriminately at a busy railway station, a Jewish settlement, a popular cafe and two luxury hotels.

Several innocents were held hostage over the next three days and at least 166 people were killed before Indian commandos smoked out the terrorists on November 28, 2008.