India in no mood to hand over Kasab, Ansari to Pakistan

NEW DELHI (Agencies) - India on Sunday virtually ruled out handing over Ajmal Kasab or his associate Fahim Ansari to Pakistan as it emphasised that justice was taking its course in this country in the Mumbai attacks case. We are trying Kasab and others here in India following the Mumbai terrorist attacks, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said when asked to comment on Pakistan approaching Interpol for arresting Kasab and Ansari for trial in that country. The case against Kasab has proceeded over the last few months. Verdict is expected by May 3 in all likelihood, she said, adding justice is taking its course in India on this subject. Pakistans Special Public Prosecutor Malik Rab Nawaz Moon, during trial in the 26/11 case in Rawalpindi on Saturday, said Interpol had been approached to issue Red Corner Notice for arrest of Kasab and Ansari. Pakistan has arrested seven men, including Lashkar-e-Taiba operations chief Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, in connection with the Mumbai attacks. They are being tried at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The Lahore High Court has said the trial of the seven men arrested in Pakistan could not be separated from that of Kasab and Ansari and they should be declared as proclaimed offenders or fugitives. At this point, the defence lawyers said Kasab and Ansari were not fugitives as they were under custody of Indian authorities. To a question on reports that the land of a temple in Karachi had been grabbed, Rao said the government has sought details from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt