Horrific and obvious though his crimes are, Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab will have to be tried as per the standard procedure laid down by law. We are okay with that but fast-track the trial, Mumbaikars tell Speak Up

Expert view

Standard procedure of law has to follow
Speaking broadly, the basic perspective under the criminal law is that all people who commit offences in India are liable to be tried in India under the Indian laws and in Indian courts. So too is the case of Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab. It is no different from other cases and he is liable to be tried under the regular Indian laws and the standard procedure that we follow.

According to the media reports that I have read, he has asked Pakistan to provide him with legal help and a lawyer. Kasab also has the option of defending himself, but if he asks for a defence lawyer and nobody is willing to take on his case, then it is the responsibility of the State to provide him with a defence lawyer.

It wouldn't be appropriate for me to express any opinion or judgment on giving him capital punishment. Several offences for which many have been charged provide for capital punishment. For instance, death penalty has been given in case of Bombay blasts in 1993; the assassin who killed Indira Gandhi was given the death penalty and also in case of parliament attacks, where the accused was Afzal Guru.

So capital punishment has been awarded by the courts in serious cases. In Kasab's case, there seems to be direct evidence of his involvement. He has committed extremely serious crimes and I am sure that the court will take an appropriate decision.
—Amit Desai. Senior advocate, practising criminal lawyer

Give Kasab a lawyer
Kasab's father Amir Kasab had said that Kasab had left home many years ago and never returned. But, a TV report states that Kasab had visited the village in Okara district only three months ago. During his stay he had conveyed his intention to his mother that he was going to participate in a jihad and for that he wanted her blessings.
He had told some other villagers as well that he was about to leave for jihad. He thought of it, prepared for it and finally did it. He killed people mercilessly. And, now he is throwing himself on the mercy of God by saying, "I am the biggest sinner, I have killed so many people, and may God forgive me." Mistake once made is a mistake, when repeated it's a crime. Kasab has committed a heinous crime.

Terrorists are nothing less than a bomb. And, we cannot stand something that can explode any moment. But, with reference to the lawyers refusing to hold a brief for Kasab, the chief justice of India KG Balakrishnan has said, "The collective decision by the Bombay Association of Lawyers affects natural justice and free trial. We must be wary of the use of torture and other forms of coercive interrogation techniques by law enforcement agencies. Coercive interrogation techniques mostly induce false confessions and do not help in preventing terrorist attacks". In that case, Kasab should be given a lawyer to ensure laws do not trample upon fundamental rights of citizens.
—Ashutosh Jha. Actor

Follow procedure, but fast-track them
Kasab`s case is unique. I think it should be dealt with on an international level. But I guess if we try him in India he is entitled to a defence lawyer even if the idea is repugnant to the legal fraternity. The case cannot proceed otherwise. I am okay with him being tried as per country's laws but the trial should be fast-tracked. There is no reason why this case should drag on like many others against terrorists did. It is a clear case, we have so many eyewitnesses and Kasab has been caught on camera killing people. He must be given the capital punishment. There can be no question of giving him another chance.
—Deepak Angane

We need stringent anti-terror laws
The case should follow the routine legal process. Terrorists have attacked India several times and got away with it because we don't have adequate laws to deal with them. Terrorism is a reality today and it is high time we enacted laws to deal with it. I appreciate the stand taken by Mumbai defence lawyers who don't want to have anything to do with Kasab but he should be given a chance to defend himself as per the law. He has also applied to Pakistan for diplomatic help. I think Pakistan should come forward but that would mean admitting that he is a Pakistani. He should be given capital punishment for his crimes. That would be the only way we can provide any justice to the families of those who lost their lives.
—Anisha Pusalkar

We have to stick to the law of the land
Kasab should not be handled like any other criminal. It should be viewed as a special case because we have very clear evidence and eyewitnesses to his crime. We should speed up his trial. Mumbai's defence lawyers were right in refusing to argue on his behalf. He killed innocent people and on a moral level lawyers are right about not wanting to deal with him. But the rule is that he is entitled to a defence lawyer, and if he does not get one the State has to engage one for him. India is a mature democracy, not a banana republic or a military regime. We should give him a chance to defend himself. But there is no question about whether he should be given capital punishment. Men like him should be shown no mercy.
—Shashikant Rajiwale

This is not a routine case, so why routine laws?
In this case there is no need to follow the standard legal process. Whatever you do it is crystal clear that he is guilty of multiple homicides. This is a clear case. Why have court hearings? Why not just go straight to the verdict? If we don't set an example with Kasab we will suffer again at the hands of terrorists. Terror doesn't have religion and we should not feel guilty about punishing him swiftly. We must implement hard laws against terrorism. It must be a tough call for Mumbai's defence lawyers. How can they fight for those who are the nation's enemies? Terrorists commit crimes against humanity. They don't deserve to be treated even like common criminals or killers. The only solution here is the death sentence.
—Sanjana Dhuri