Kasab’s death welcome but catch masterminds: victims’ kin

MUMBAI - The death sentence given to Pakistani gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab was cheered by the kin of 26/11 victims, but many felt he was just a pawn in a terror game and the real masterminds should be caught.

“For me, this is not the closure. The closure will come only when the masterminds are apprehended,” said Sevanti Parekh, who lost his son and daughter-in-law in the horrific November 2008 Mumbai mayhem.

Manasi Shinde, widow of a railway police inspector killed at the Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus, was glad over the outcome of the trial but is awaiting for Kasab to hang.

“It is not surprising that Kasab was sentenced to death. But the chapter will close only when he will actually be hanged,” she said.

Said Deepak Bhonsale, son of assistant sub-inspector Balasaheb Bhonsale who too was killed: “My father’s soul will now rest in peace. I believe it is the apt punishment for Kasab and the likes of him.”

Ragini S. Sharma, widow of another slain railway officer Sushilkumar Sharma, said: “The verdict is a no shocker. This is what Kasab deserved.”

The lawyer fraternity reacted in similar fashion.

“The verdict was expected. This is the gravest of grave cases and I have not come across such a case in my career except for the Mumbai train blasts of July 2006,” said Abad Ponda, an eminent criminal lawyer.

Agreed criminal lawyer Samsher Garud: “We have set the right precedence in this historic case. No other punishment would have been acceptable.”