New Delhi, May 3: Home Minister P Chidambaram Monday said the conviction of Pakistani national Muhammad Ajmal Kasab in the Mumbai terror attacks sends a clear message to Pakistan that it should not export terror to India in future.
He said the judgment is a message for Pakistan that it should not export terror to India. If the Pakistani authorities do and “terrorists are arrested we will bring them to justice and give them exemplary punishment”.
 Chidambaram said it was an open trial in accordance with the law and full opportunities were given to the accused to defend themselves.
 “I am satisfied that within a year we have been able to bring a verdict of conviction of a large number of accused in perhaps a very complex trial. A criminal trial can only proceed step by step and within a year, the prosecution has been able to get conviction,” he said.
 Happy over the trial ending in conviction, Chidambaram complimented the investigating agencies and prosecution for marshalling evidence that proved beyond doubt the horrific crimes Kasab and his associates were charged with.
 Despite demands swayed by anger and emotions, he said, government decided that Kasab and associates should be tried in accordance with law, given all the rights available to any accused.
 Asked if Kasab’s case would meet the same fate as Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, whose mercy petition against death sentence is pending, Chidambaram expressed surprise why the media was obsessed with the issue like the Opposition.
 “The Opposition may be obsessed with Afzal Guru. I have explained so many times and I am surprised that you in the media repeating the question. We will take up each case according to the order in which the case is pending before the Ministry of Home Affairs and before the President of India. So, the cases will be taken up one by one,” he said.
 The Home Minister said his Ministry already has sent four cases after reconsideration.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 3 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 3 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 4 May 2010 00:00:00 IST