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BJP accused Chavan of prioritising the rights of terrorists over those of the victims of the Mumbai attacks
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan. (PTI file photo)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday slammed Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan for his remarks regarding the legal rights of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The BJP accused Chavan of showing a “soft corner for terrorism” following his comments on Rana.
The Congress leader, who is also the former chief minister of Maharashtra, raised concerns over the extradition process, suggesting that, like Ajmal Kasab, Rana should be granted a fair trial.
Kasab, a Pakistani gunman who was one of the sole surviving gunman of the 26/11 attack, was executed in 2012 after being convicted.
Speaking to the media, Chavan said, “We demand that just like there was a proper trial under Indian laws for Kasab, he had the right to speak for himself and have a lawyer – he was given a lawyer and he had the opportunity to appeal in High Court as well as Supreme Court.”
Chavan stressed that Rana should be given the same rights and face a fair trial, adding, “He (Rana) should be given legal rights and he will have to accept whatever punishment is given to him. A kangaroo court will not function in our country.”
Meanwhile, the BJP responded to Chavan’s remarks and accused him of prioritising the rights of terrorists over those of the victims of the Mumbai attacks.
