Rajya Sabha condemns Lakhvi bail, delay in trial

The Rajya Sabha Monday adopted a resolution unanimously expressing grave concerns at delays in prosecution of Mumbai terror attack accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

Moving the resolution, Chairman M. Hamid Ansari criticised the apathetic attitude of the Pakistan government which resulted in the grant of bail.

"This house expresses its grave concern at the numerous delays in the prosecution of Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, accused conspirator in the terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26th November, 2008 resulting in the killing of 166 individuals and the apathetic attitude of the government of Pakistan which resulted in the grant of bail to him," Ansari said reading out the resolution.

He said the house "notes that this (the bail) has happened just one day after the tragic killing of 145 innocent children and other persons in Peshawar in a terrorist attack and that he has been detained subsequently under the provisions of maintenance of public order and calls upon the government of Pakistan to proceed strongly with its declared intention to appeal against the bail judgment, and ensure that no perpetrator of any terrorist activity be allowed to go unpunished and the infrastructure of terrorism in that country shall be dismantled immediately".

Ansari said the people of India attach the highest importance to bringing the perpetrators of the 26/11 attack, their masters in Pakistan and their accomplices, to justice; and urged the government of India to take "appropriate steps in its power, including through its relations with other countries, to persuade Pakistan to bring this matter to a logical conclusion".

A similar resolution was adopted by Lok Sabha Friday.