Kasab to be booked under toughest crime law today

New Delhi: It is a crucial day in the Mumbai terror attack probe as the Mumbai Police is all set to file the chargesheet against Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist who was caught during the attack, and 19 others.

Kasab will be tried under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) – India's toughest anti-crime law.

Kasab will face charges ranging from waging war against the country to murder, attempt to murder and other provisions of IPC and under the stringent MCOCA, crime branch officials said.

The terrorist has also been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Apart from Kasab and nine other LeT terrorists who were killed by the security personnel, the chargesheet is likely to name around 20 more who are believed to be hiding in Pakistan. Among these are Yosuf Muzzamil and Zaki-Ur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 26/11 attack.

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The chargesheet will also have details of Kasab’s conversation with his handlers in Pakistan, his interrogation report besides accounts from eyewitnesses.

The police also claimed they have incriminating evidence, which prosecutors hope will conclusively nail Pakistan's role in the 26/11 carnage.

26/11 terrorists are likely to face charges under various sections of IPC. The chargesheet will include:

• Ajmal Kasab's confession
• Statements of over 110 witnesses
• Prime witnesses include owners of hijacked fishing trawler, Skoda car used by terrorists
• Police officials, forensic experts and journalists to be witnesses
• CCTV recordings of attack sites
• FBI also likely to be summoned as witness

The Pakistan connection

• Records of phone calls between terrorists and handlers in Pakistan
• GPS data tracking journey of terrorists from Pakistan
• Details of VoIP numbers
• Pak made items recovered from terrorists including arms

Forensic evidence

• DNA samples of Kasab and associates
• Analysis of debris from blast sites

The culprits

• Ajmal Kasab
• Local LeT operatives Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed
• Nine terrorists killed in the attacks
• Seven Pakistani nationals including Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza

The chargesheet will be the toughest test so far for the Mumbai Police as it will scrutinised and closely analysed by media and security agencies the world over.

(With inputs from Toral Varia and Kajal Iyer)