Supreme Court affirms death penalty of LeT terrorist Mohammad Arif in 2000 Red Fort attack case

New Delhi, Nov 3: The Supreme Court dismissed a review petition by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq against the death penalty awarded to him in connection with the 2000 Red Fort attack case.

 

 

The apex court on Thursday affirmed the death penalty awarded to Pakistani-based LeT terrorist which resulted in the death of three persons including two army officers.

 

 

A bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said, "We have accepted the prayers that electronic records must be eschewed from consideration. However, having regard to the entirety of the matter, his guilt is proved. We affirm the view taken by this court and reject the review petition".

 

On 22 December, 2000 some intruders started indiscriminate firing and gunned down three persons including two army Jawans belonging to 7th Rajputana Rifles. Arif, from Pakistan’s Abbottabad, was held to be one of the six terrorists who had sneaked into the 17th century monument.

 

Arif was arrested on December 25, 2000 and was convicted by the trial court on October 24, 2005, and awarded death sentence on October 31, 2005. His death sentence was confirmed by the Delhi High Court by an order dated September 13, 2007.

 

The apex court dismissed his appeal challenging the conviction on August 10, 2011, and his review petition was dismissed on August 28, 2011.