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.