26/11 Mumbai attacks: Trial and related developments

I-G

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26/11 terror attacks: Ajmal Kasab pleads guilty

Mumbai (PTI) The lone surviving terrorist in 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes Mohammed Ajmal Kasab on Monday pleaded guilty before the trial court to the attacks that left over 180 dead.

Kasab told the special court that he was confessing to his involvement in the strikes.

He also said that he owns up his involvement in the attacks at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and nearby Cama hospital in south Mumbai.

Kasab admitted that he came in a boat from Karachi along with nine other terrorists to carry out the dastardly acts on the night of November 26 in four places including the iconic Taj and Oberoi Hotels.

The trial in the case began on April 17 in a makeshift court room in Mumbai's Arthur Road jail.

Kasab and other terrorists have been also charged with killing five crew members of the boat "Kuber" with which they reached the shores of Mumbai from Pakistan.

They also face charges of planting a bomb in a taxi that exploded in Vile Parle besides firing at CST and Cama hospital, killing three policemen near Rang Bhavan. They have been accused of stealing a Skoda car and killing a policeman at Chowpatty.

Kasab and other accused also face conspiracy charges for the firing at hotels Taj and Oberoi, Nariman House, Leopold Cafe restaurant and planting a bomb that exploded at Mazgaon.

Prosecution has said Kasab and other suspected members of Pakisan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba were able to succeed in their designs to strike terror in Mumbai on November 26 because of maps allegedly provided by co-accused Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin.

The confession by 21-year-old Kasab comes on the 65th day of the trial.

As a prosecution witness stepped into the box in the court to depose on Monday, Kasab sought permission to speak to his lawyer Abbas Kazmi.

He consulted Mr. Kazmi for about half a minute after which the lawyer informed the court that Kasab wanted to confess.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam objected saying that at this stage of the trial, the accused could not confess before the court.

The judge overruled his objection and allowed Kasab to proceed with his confession.

Kasab described how he and slain terrorist Abu Ismail had opened fire at CST, Cama hospital and other places killing people.

The Hindu News Update Service
 

I-G

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All 26/11 guilty should be hanged: Chavan on Kasab's confession

Mumbai (PTI) The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial should be completed quickly and all those involved in the attacks "should be hanged", Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said here on Monday.

"All those involved in the 26/11 attacks should be hanged," Mr. Chavan said, reacting to the lone arrested terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Kasab on MOnday pleading guilty to his involvement in the terror strikes that left over 180 dead.

"All people involved in the attacks should be hanged so that the victims get justice," he said.

The 26/11 trial should be conducted quickly, the Chief Minister said.

The Hindu News Update Service
 

I-G

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No credibility to Kasab’s confession: Pak minister


Updated on Monday, July 20, 2009, 15:48 IST
Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: In a not so unexpected reaction, Pakistan on Monday dismissed Ajmal Amir Kasab’s confession as an attempt by him to save his skin and had no credibility.

Talking to a news channel, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said that there cannot be any credibility of the statement of a person who has changed his statements a couple of times, referring to Kasab’s flip flop in court.

He, however, added that if a crime is committed in any country then that country has a right to act as per the law of land. The minister, though promising to take action against every terrorist, termed it inappropriate to take action against those named by Kasab and based in Pakistan saying that one cannot crack down on groups on the basis of confessions by a person behind bars.

Replying to a question whether Kasab’s admission will help Pakistan in its probe, the Defence Minister said that Interior Ministry is dealing with the issue and it will get in touch with India to get as much information as possible and get hold of all the people involved in this criminal activity (Mumbai attacks).

No credibility to Kasab?s confession: Pak minister
 

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Kasab confesses to 26/11, names Saeed, Lakhvi

The lone surviving terrorist in 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes Mohammed Ajmal Kasab today pleaded guilty before the trial court to the attacks that left over 180 dead.

Kasab told the special court that he was confessing to his involvement in the strikes.

He also said that he owns up his involvement in the attacks at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and nearby Cama
hospital in south Mumbai and gave details of the attacks.

Kasab admitted that he came in a boat from Karachi along with nine other terrorists to carry out the dastardly acts on
the night of November 26 in four places including the iconic Taj and Oberoi Hotels.

Kasab confesses to 26/11, names Saeed, Lakhvi- Hindustan Times
 

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No credibility to Kasab’s confession: Pak minister


Updated on Monday, July 20, 2009, 15:48 IST
Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: In a not so unexpected reaction, Pakistan on Monday dismissed Ajmal Amir Kasab’s confession as an attempt by him to save his skin and had no credibility.

Talking to a news channel, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said that there cannot be any credibility of the statement of a person who has changed his statements a couple of times, referring to Kasab’s flip flop in court.

He, however, added that if a crime is committed in any country then that country has a right to act as per the law of land. The minister, though promising to take action against every terrorist, termed it inappropriate to take action against those named by Kasab and based in Pakistan saying that one cannot crack down on groups on the basis of confessions by a person behind bars.

Replying to a question whether Kasab’s admission will help Pakistan in its probe, the Defence Minister said that Interior Ministry is dealing with the issue and it will get in touch with India to get as much information as possible and get hold of all the people involved in this criminal activity (Mumbai attacks).

No credibility to Kasab?s confession: Pak minister
this is a classic pakistani tatic we saw this in Kargil when the Jawans of the NLI(northen Light Infentry) who died obying orders and doing their duty
 

Flint

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Well, if the Hon. Defence Minister of Pakistan expects India to accept the verdict given by Pakistani courts regarding the Mumbai attacks, he'd better learn to accept those given by the Indian ones.
Granted that there has been no verdict so far. Let us see how he responds then.

No credibility to Kasab’s confession: Pak minister


Updated on Monday, July 20, 2009, 15:48 IST
Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: In a not so unexpected reaction, Pakistan on Monday dismissed Ajmal Amir Kasab’s confession as an attempt by him to save his skin and had no credibility.

Talking to a news channel, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said that there cannot be any credibility of the statement of a person who has changed his statements a couple of times, referring to Kasab’s flip flop in court.

He, however, added that if a crime is committed in any country then that country has a right to act as per the law of land. The minister, though promising to take action against every terrorist, termed it inappropriate to take action against those named by Kasab and based in Pakistan saying that one cannot crack down on groups on the basis of confessions by a person behind bars.

Replying to a question whether Kasab’s admission will help Pakistan in its probe, the Defence Minister said that Interior Ministry is dealing with the issue and it will get in touch with India to get as much information as possible and get hold of all the people involved in this criminal activity (Mumbai attacks).

No credibility to Kasab?s confession: Pak minister
 

Pintu

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Court can now award sentence on Kasab, say lawyers - India - NEWS - The Times of India

Court can now award sentence on Kasab, say lawyers
IANS 20 July 2009, 06:15pm IST

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The special court hearing the Mumbai terror attacks case can pass sentence on main accused Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab after his startling confession and narration of events leading up to 26/11, say legal experts.

"It is up to the court now to accept his plea of guilt and pass sentence accordingly. However, it is also open to the court to decide on whether it wants to press ahead for the full trial," says criminal lawyer Nitya Ramakrishnan, who secured the acquittal of Afsan Guru, an accused in the Dec 13 parliament attack case in New Delhi.

In a dramatic twist to the 26/11 case, Kasab got up just before the 135th witness was about to be examined and started by addressing Special Judge M.L. Tahilyani in Urdu: "Sir, I want to make a confession in the court. I plead guilty to the crimes for which I have been charged."

He then recounted how he and his associates travelled by sea from Karachi to Mumbai to strike at 13 locations on the night of Nov 26, 2008. Kasab, 21, was caught on surveillance cameras holding a gun as he stalked and killed people inside the Chhatrapathi Shivaji railway station.

Kasab faces 86 charges, including waging war against India, murder and attempted murder. In May, he pleaded not guilty to all charges and recanted a confession to the crimes that he said was made under duress.

Majeed Memon, another leading criminal lawyer who defended several accused in the 1993 serial bombings cases, said Kasab's sudden turnaround in the midst of trial was indeed surprising.

"What is left now according to our legal system is that the special judge has only to ascertain the 'voluntariness' of the plea of guilt by the accused," he said.

"The judge will need to check absence of external influence and pressures, by speaking to the government-appointed lawyer, asking him why his client is pleading guilty at this juncture. He can even address the accused directly," said Memon.

"After satisfying himself that it is a voluntary plea of guilt, the judge may accept the plea of guilt. Then, he may not need to examine the remaining witnesses as far as Kasab's trial is concerned," Memon added.

Criminal lawyer R.K. Anand of New Delhi also concurred with Ramakrishnan that Tahilyani could pass sentence on the basis of Kasab's admission.

"If the evidence of the 134 witnesses so far corroborates with what Kasab has said, then the judge can pass sentence," Anand said.

"Even if he (Tahilyani) wants to go ahead with the full trial, there is nothing stopping him. He has another 16 witnesses to examine and that is going to take just another week or a little more."

After Kasab's admission, lawyers also pointed out that his only appeal will now be limited to the quantum of sentence the court will pass.

"We had built up a solid case against Kasab. So far, 134 witnesses had identified him in the past nearly three months. His confession had to finally come," asserted special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam.

Well-known criminal lawyer J.P. Mishra said: "This is a welcome development for the police, the prosecution and the government as Kasab's confession coming midway during the trial proved that he was endorsing the prosecution case against him."

Before awarding the sentence, the court must hear the accused on the quantum of sentence.

Considering the charges that have been framed against Kasab, the legal community maintains that the death sentence would be applicable.

"His option now will be to appeal against the death sentence and to ask for a lesser punishment," said Anand.
 

kuku

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Are our leaders so blind, Pakistan will keep on delaying this till the issue dies down, and then they will let the groups operate with freedom.

These groups are mountain dwelling idiots, they could not even clean their own beard if left unassisted.
 

Pintu

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http://www.ptinews.com/news/184179_Kasab-pleads-guilty--seeks-verdict

Kasab pleads guilty, seeks verdict

STAFF WRITER 18:47 HRS IST

Mumbai, July 20 (PTI) In a dramatic turn of events, Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist in the November Mumbai terror attack, today pleaded guilty to his role in the crime and sought a quick end to the trial, a development that came as a major boost to the prosecution.

"I plead guilty," the 22-year-old Pakistani national told the Special Court in the Arthur Road jail here trying him for various charges including the shooting in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station that killed over 50 people and injured 90 others on November 26 last year.

The prosecution and the police were surprised over the sudden turn of events and Special Public Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam described Kasab's decision as a "new tactics for lesser punishment".

He said the confession was a big victory for the prosecution. "The cat is out of the bag", he added.
 

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Kasab confession: special court restricts media, adjourns case- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

Kasab confession: special court restricts media, adjourns case
21 Jul 2009, 1445 hrs IST, IANS

MUMBAI: Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab continued his confessional statement about his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack Tuesday before the matter was adjourned for a day by Special Judge M.L. Tahilyani, who also barred the media from reporting some portions of his revelations.

Tahilyani's order came when Kasab revealed the intentions behind the Nov 26, 2008 terror strikes in Mumbai on the second day of his confession before the Special Court.

After he spoke about the motives, Tahilyani passed an order restraining the media from reporting parts of it on grounds that it could create communal disharmony in the country.

Kasab, who shocked the courtroom with his confession Monday, revealed more details of the attack at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) along with his associate Abu Ismail.

He said they were under instructions to first start shooting at people, take hostages and then kill anyone who attempted to rescue the hostages.

After his confession was complete, Tahilyani adjourned the matter till Wednesday.

In a dramatic twist to the ongoing trial, Kasab suddenly confessed in the court Monday to his involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks in this financial capital. He admitted he is a Pakistani national and also recounted in full detail how he and his nine associates - all killed by the police during the 60-hour-long combined security operations - carried out the terror mayhem.

He also revealed before the stunned courtroom names of his Pakistani handlers, including Abu Hamza, Abu Jundal, Abu Kafa and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who saw them off when they boarded a ship at Karachi.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had termed Kasab's surprise confession as "a victory of truth and victory for the prosecution" while Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had urged that death sentence be pronounced.
 

F-14

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May be the Boys and Girls of IB RAW CIA MI6 and Mossad were doing bangada on him when he is in jail
 

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http://ptinews.com/news/187975_Court-to-give-ruling-on-Kasab-s-statement-tomorrow

Court to give ruling on Kasab's statement tomorrow

STAFF WRITER 17:12 HRS IST

Mumbai, Jul 22 (PTI) The special court conducting the 26/11 terror attack trial will give tomorrow its ruling whether it would accept lone surviving gunman Mohammad Ajmal Kasab's statement admitting his guilt.

Special Judge M L Tahilyani today said that the court will give its ruling on the statement tomorrow.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam argued that the court may accept Kasab's confession but should allow the prosecution to submit further evidence in the case, as Kasab has not made a full disclosure about his role in the terror attacks.

"The prosecution has to establish before the court why Mumbai was targeted why foreigners were attacked and has to also expose the infrastructure and operations of LeT."

He said if granted permission by the court, the prosecution would complete the trial by August-end.
 

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http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=261735

Court’s call on Kasab confession

Mumbai, 21 JULY: The twists and turns in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trial continued for the second day today with defence becoming more articulate and prosecution opting to stay more circumspect about prime accused Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab's sudden decision to go on record admitting his complicity in the planning and execution of the attack.
Defence lawyer Mr Abbas Kazmi contended that the “I plead guilty” statement by his client could not legally be construed as confession, but it was up to the judge to ascertain the veracity of what Kasab had stated to the court on Monday and briefly on Tuesday and give his ruling. "Kasab was only answering the queries put to him by the court," he said. A special court hearing the case today adjourned the proceedings in the 26/11 trial till tomorrow after the prosecution sought time to file its reply on the confession of the lone surviving terrorist. Special public prosecutor Mr Ujjwal Nikam accused Kasab of “speaking like a politician for publicity.” He urged the court to examine what the captured Pakistan national had said in his confession. Mr Nikam said the defence had no case to argue after Kasab had pleaded guilty and would like to see an early end to the case. "But for the delaying tactics of the defence, the matter would have been over by now in two and a half months," he said.
Mr Nikam also called Kasab a “good actor. Well briefed, informed and managed.” He pointed out that the name of Indian helper Abu Jindal mentioned in the court by Kasab on Monday did not appear anywhere in his earlier statements to the judge or Mumbai police. He wondered what the ploy was behind naming a new co-conspirator. Kasab had said that Abu taught Hindi to him and other nine terrorists on 26/11 mission Mumbai.
Mr Kazmi demanded the investigator/police probe the involvement of the Indian mentioned. (Mumbai police confirmed that Abu Jindal has been on their wanted list for over a decade. He has suspected Indian Mujahideen links and is believed to be a resident of Hyderabad). Earlier, Kasab informed the court that a guard at the Arthur Road Prison had told him that Pakistan accepted him as its national. He said Pakistani handlers had told him and Abu Ismail to shoot and kill innocents -- and even the police if they interrupted -- by firing indiscriminately. “They told us to also take some people hostages and climb the CST station before making some demands for their release.” He said his masters Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Abu Hamzha, Zarar Shah and others had told them to devastate Mumbai (tabah kar do). In the course of today’s confession, according to Mr Nikam, Kasab used inflammatory language. At this point the prosecution requested the court to adjourn the trial for the day. The judge said the inflammatory references in Kasab’s statement should not be made public since they were not in the society’s interest.
The prosecutor said he had requested the court to grant him a day’s time to consult investigators and Mumbai police’s top officials to work out further strategy. He refused to divulge more.
 

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Kasab confession news-Prosecution sees larger motive in Kasab`s confession

Prosecution sees larger motive in Kasab's confession

Updated on Thursday, July 23, 2009, 00:22 IST

Mumbai: Prosecution in the 26/11 terror attack case today refused to accept completely the lone surviving terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Kasab's confession of his role and said he was not telling the whole truth.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam submitted before the trial court the Kasab has not made full disclosure in his confession and thus the prosecution should be allowed to submit evidence against him and the other accused in the case.

"Kasab is not telling the whole truth. He has cleverly minimised his role and has done it to get lesser punishment or save his handlers in Pakistan," Nikam argued.

Nikam said there was a provision in Pakistan Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) that allows for evidence gathered outside their country to be submitted in a court there.

"Kasab is very smart and intelligent to say that he be given the death penalty because no court will send him to the gallows if major role of his participation in the crime is discarded," Nikam said.

Through his confession, Kasab is trying to claim he played a subordinate role to slain terrorist Abu Ismail, he said.

"We can accept his confession only to two incidents -- (Mumbai) CST firing and the theft of Skoda vehicle," the Public Prosecutor said.

Bureau Report
 
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JattDaDanda

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I' so ashamed at our justice system. Pakistan has already released all the terrorists involved in MUMBAI massacre. while we are wasting taxpayers money on feeding this looser in our jail. They should just drag this scum Kasab behind a BMB from TAJ mahal hotel to as far place as they can until he dies.
 

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Kasab trial at crucial crossroads - Mumbai - City - NEWS - The Times of India

Kasab trial at crucial crossroads
Kartikeya, TNN 23 July 2009, 02:53am IST

MUMBAI: For the past three days, Pakistani gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab has confessed to his involvement in the deadly 26/11 attacks that crippled Mumbai back in November and has stuck to his stand that his confession was given voluntarily and "under no pressure''. He has asked for the trial to end and that he be punished. On Wednesday, he went so far as to say that he is ready to be hanged for his crime.

These sudden and dramatic developments have opened up a host of legal options for special judge M L Tahaliyani. Several legal experts observed that this could be the end of what could otherwise have been a lengthy trial. "The judge should admit the plea of guilt and immediately move to sentencing Kasab. There is no need to waste any more time and money on this trial,'' said noted criminal lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani.

If the court accepts Kasab's guilt on Thursday, legal eagles think the trial could be wrapped up within days if Kasab's sentencing follows. "We must remember that there are two other co-accused (Fahim Ansari and Sahabuddin Ahmed) in the same trial and their cases will also have to be considered by the judge when he takes any decision on Kasab's statement,'' said criminal lawyer Majeed Memon.

There is a likelihood of separating the two co-accused's trial from Kasab's. Or, as Memon pointed out, "The court could also keep Kasab's verdict aside and proceed with the other two accused.''

Special prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam wants another course of events. He wants the court to keep Kasab's guilty plea on record, but proceed with the trial. He has said that Kasab has made a "half-hearted'' statement in which he has left out many details of the overall crime. Nikam wants to fill in those aspects of the conspiracy that have been alleged by the prosecution but not admitted by Kasab. Nikam may also ask Kasab to give a further statement in respect to incidents where all evidence has already been examined by the court. These include the killings at CST, the murder of navigator Amar Singh Solanki and the killing of constable Tukaram Ombale at Marine Drive.

"He has been shrewd enough to pin the blame on other gunmen and portray himself as a minor subordinate in the entire incident,'' Nikam said.

Nikam said, if the trial continues, he would not want to prolong it under any circumstances. "I will try to finish it off in a month. I may examine only the most crucial witnesses to save time,'' he told TOI.

Another scenario that could develop is linked to the stand taken by Kasab's lawyer Abbas Kazmi, who has said that the court should "either accept Kasab's statement or reject it outright''. In other words, no keeping it on record and using it as corroborative evidence. "If the confession is thrown out, it cannot be used against him and the trial will proceed,'' Kazmi said.

Memon also pointed out, "According to the legal system, the court can embark on a brief enquiry to ascertain whether Kasab's confession was voluntary.''

Noted advocate Yug Chaudhary said, "The matter is now solely at the discretion of the judge. He will decide whether to admit the plea of guilt or continue with the trial.''

[email protected]
 

RPK

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Action against Lashkar only if proof is found: Pakistan


PHUKET: Pakistan will take action against the Lashkar-e-Taiba if proof was found of its involvement in the Mumbai terrorist attacks, foreign
minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said here on Thursday.

"We will take action against LeT if any proof is found," Qureshi told reporters when asked what action Pakistan planned to take against the perpetrators of the Nov 26 Mumbai carnage.

"We are waiting for the confessional statement of Kasab though appropriate channels," Qureshi said. He was referring to the confession Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Mumbai attacker in Indian custody, made in a Mumbai court Monday.

Qureshi's comments come days after India and Pakistan, on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, agreed July 16 to delink action on terror from the composite dialogue process.

Kasab, the only surviving member of the 10-member terrorist squad from Pakistan, Monday confessed his role in the mayhem that left over 170 people killed. He also admitted his nationality as Pakistani.
 

F-14

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Bloody double crossers
 

Pintu

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http://www.ptinews.com/news/189990_Kasab-s-trial-to-continue

Kasab's trial to continue

STAFF WRITER 16:31 HRS IST

Mumbai, July 23 (PTI) On a day of drama, Mohd. Ajmal Amir Kasab's lawyer decided to withdraw from the 26/11 terror attack case but later retracted even as the special court today ordered that the trial of the Pakistani gunman will continue.

Kasab's lawyer Abbas Kazmi told the court that he would like to pull out of the case as his client has lost confidence in him but later said he will continue to represent him.

Special Judge M L Tahilyani, hearing the case in the high security Arthur Road jail in central Mumbai, said the trial will continue as Kasab has confessed to the basic offence but not pleaded guilty to 86 charges slapped on him.

The judge told 22-year-old Kasab, "Aap ke khilaaf 86 charges frame kiye the. Apne sab nahin kabool kiye hain, lekin gunaah kabool kiya hai.
 

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