In this photograph taken on December 26, 2000, alleged Pakistani militant Mohammed Arif alias Ashfaq Ahmed (C, with face covered) is flanked by Indian policemen as he is brought to a court appearance in New Delhi. – AFP (File Photo)

NEW DELHI: A Pakistani militant convicted of murder and waging war against India for an attack at New Delhi's historic Red Fort in December 2000 lost his appeal against execution in the Supreme Court Wednesday.

The court refused to quash the death penalty handed down to Mohammed Arif, who used the alias Ashfaq for his role in the gun attack that killed three people at the 17th century tourist attraction.

“The death sentence has been confirmed,” Justice V.S. Sirpurkar and Justice T.S. Thakur said.

Ashfaq and five other armed men sneaked into the Red Fort late on December 22, 2000, and opened fire, killing a soldier, an army barber and a civilian working for the military.

The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place in the heart of Delhi. About 1,000 soldiers are garrisoned at the Red Fort.

Ashfaq was found guilty in 2005 of waging war against India and murder. His last avenue of appeal is now to seek clemency from India's President Pratibha Patil.

A total of 11 people stood trial in the case, but 10 were acquitted.

The LeT was blamed by India for the November 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

Opinion

Editorial

Free, fair & timely
Updated 01 Jun, 2023

Free, fair & timely

The stakeholders need to take a step back and let democracy take its course.
Virtual SCO summit
01 Jun, 2023

Virtual SCO summit

HOSTING multilateral summits is a matter of great prestige for states, as world leaders gather at the same table to...
Missing anchorperson
Updated 01 Jun, 2023

Missing anchorperson

IT gives insight into the obduracy of those in whose custody Imran Riaz Khan is being held that multiple appeals ...
Constitutional courts
Updated 31 May, 2023

Constitutional courts

While the idea may not be without its merits, the establishment of a constitutional court cannot be done without national consensus.
Hunger pangs
31 May, 2023

Hunger pangs

A RECENTLY released report by two UN agencies should serve as a wake-up call to the ruling elite — that is, if ...
No-Tobacco Day
31 May, 2023

No-Tobacco Day

DESPITE successive governments’ efforts, tobacco use continues to remain a significant public health challenge for...