Terrorists striking India will be brought to justice: Manish Tewari

Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari on Wednesday said the hanging of 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab has sent a message that perpetrators of terror attacks on India would be brought to justice while following the due process of law.

"A very dastardly terrorist attack took place. Innocent people lost their lives, there was a fair investigative process which culminated in a three tier judicial process at the end of the day. The law has taken its course," Tewari said.

He was asked for a response to comments by BJP leaders that the execution of Kasab was a delayed.

"It would not be proper to view this in terms of time taken. The larger message is that if at all there is a terrorist incident or a terrorist attack which is perpetrated, those people who are responsible would be brought to justice," he said.

Tewari was replying to a question if the government would also act in the matter related to the Afzal Guru, who stands convicted in Parliament attack case.

"If at all there are specific questions with regard to the investigative or the judicial process in any other terrorist-related activity, I am sure that the appropriate ministry at the appropriate time will address it to your satisfaction," he said.

The I&B minister was asked if he thought that the criticism of being soft on terrorism could now no longer be made against the government.

"It is not a matter of being hard or soft but we are a democratic country and our structure is a based on law. If someone takes law in his own hands then after an investigative process, a conclusion or result is reached by the courts and after that if a mercy petition is filed then after its disposal whatever is the verdict, the government implements it," he said.

... contd.

ALSO READ

HC orders 3-phase rural polls in Bengal

The dramatic rise and fall of Ashwani Kumar

Cornered Congress fires Ashwani Kumar, Pawan Kumar Bansal

Slow rise, fast fall for P K Bansal