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KP Pawar, the defence lawyer of Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, on Thursday said that the decision about appealing to the High Court against the death sentence would be taken after consultations with the convict. Pawar said that he would not criticise the judgment and made it clear that the convict has option of appealing against the sentence in higher courts. "In our country we don't have a precedent of criticizing the judgment given by the Honorable court. We don't criticise judgments in public. I would only say that if any convict is not satisfied by the verdict given against him, then he has a chance to appeal in the High Court," said Pawar. "And according to the appeal, the evidences can be tabled in front of the High Court again," he added. Pawar claimed that on his part, he had presented all arguments on behalf of Kasab to the court. "I had satisfactorily put forward all the mitigating circumstances on behalf of the accused in front of the court. The appreciation of those circumstances is up to the court," said Pawar. After the ruling, Kasab refused to speak when asked by Judge M. L. Tahiliyani, if he wished to say anything. "After the sentence was read out, I spoke to him and asked him whether he wanted to say anything about the death sentence that has been given to him by the Honorable Court. He then answered that he did not want to say anything about the sentence," said Pawar. Kasab sat with his head down, occasionally wiping his eyes with the back of his palm and then covering his ears with his fingers inside the courtroom as the judge read out the sentence. Pawar told the media that he would be given time to speak to Kasab and only after consulting with him, a further course of action in the case will be decided. "I have not yet had a conversation with him regarding the future course of action in this case. I will be given an opportunity to talk to him and then I will speak to him and decide the next step," Pawar said. A Mumbai Special Court on Thursday sentenced Kasab to death on four counts. Judge M L Tahiliyani awarded death sentence for Kasab on-waging war against India, murder, conspiracy to murder, and participating in an act of terror under Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA). Judge Tahaliyani felt that Kasab's crime fell under the judicial definition of "rarest of rare". With today's judgment, Kasab became the 52nd prisoner on death row in India. Judge Tahiliyani also awarded life term to Kasab on five other counts. He said, "A common man will loose faith in court, if this man is let loose. The death penalty is required. There is no other option. This man has lost the right to get humanitarian treatment." Judge Tahiliyani also felt that having Kasab alive can be a perpetual danger to the nation. He also added that Kasab has been a menace to the society. After the judge pronounced the verdict, Kasab broke down to tears in the courtroom. His whole body was reportedly shuddering, just moments before the judge pronounced the quantum of punishment. Immediately after pronouncement of the death sentence, Judge Tahaliyani sent his order for confirmation to the Bombay High Court. The death penalty will not be implemented immediately it has to be confirmed by the High Court. Kasab has the option of appealing to higher courts, and can also file a mercy petition for the consideration of President of India. Earlier, Kasab was pronounced guilty on Monday and the prosecution and defence ended their arguments on quantum of sentence on Tuesday.

Kasab yet to decide on appeal against verdict