Qasab may hang this year if no appeal: home secretary

The chances of Ajmal Amir Qasab being hanged this year "are quite high" if he does not file a petition challenging his death sentence for the 2008 Mumbai attack, union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said Tuesday.

"It all depends on whether he (Qasab) is going to file an appeal in high court and Supreme Court and then the mercy petition (to the president). So it all depends on him. If he doesn't file any appeal anywhere, I think the chances of him getting hanged this year are quite high," Pillai told CNN-IBN news channel.

A special 26/11 trial court sentenced the lone surviving terrorist of the Mumbai attack to death May 6, 17 months after the mayhem that killed 166 people. Qasab was convicted on more than 80 charges, including waging war against the nation.

Qasab has the option of challenging the sentencing in higher courts. If the Supreme Court upholds the verdict, the 23-year-old can also file a mercy petition before President Pratibha Patil.

According to the home ministry, there are 28 mercy applications pending in the president's office, including the one of 2001 parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Asked about the status of Guru's case, Pillai said: "It is with the government for consideration. The government takes full responsibility of current pending cases."