Mumbai terrorist may only face 3 years in prison

The court prosecuting the man accused of taking part in the Mumbai terror attacks has ordered a special inquiry to see whether Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab is a juvenile. If he is, the maximum punishment allowed in India is only three years.

Kasab is the only survivor among the attackers who killed 173 and injured 308 in Mumbai in 2008. The special court reviewing his case has ordered a special investigation to determine his age. Judge M. L. Tahiliyani allowed special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to examine witnesses, including doctors and a jailor, on April 28 to find out whether Kasab was older than 18 at the time of the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. The court has ordered prison officials to do medical tests such as an ossification test and dental test to determine his age. The judge has asked the radiologist and the dentist to present their findings on or before April 28, 2009. Kasab’s lawyer, Abbas Kazmi, made this announcement today. If the tests prove that Kasab is a juvenile, he will be handed over to the juvenile court. The maximum punishment under India’s Juvenile Justice Act is three years according to Kazmi. The issue of Kasab’s age was raised by the prosecutor so they can frame the charges accordingly. Previously, Kasab claimed he was in fact a juvenile and requested the judge transfer him to a juvenile court. At that time, the judge refused.