Thaindian News

Mumbai, Aug 30 (IANS) Expressing relief over Fahim Ansari’s acquittal in the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai by the Supreme Court, his wife Yasmin Thursday said she was glad he was acquitted.

The apex court Wednesday confirmed the acquittal of two Indians - Fahim Arshad Ansari, 36, and Sabauddin Ahmed Sheikh, 25 - while upholding the death sentence to Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab, 26.

“I am glad that the Supreme Court verdict is in favour of my husband. Since it has come from the highest court in India, I hope the terrorist tag on my husband has finally been removed,” Yasmin said, addressing media persons here Thursday.

She said she is looking forward to meeting her husband at the earliest. Fahim is currently lodged in Bareilly Central Prison for his alleged involvement in an attack on a CRPF camp at Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, in 2007.

Yasmin, however, was sorry she had to sell her house in Bandra in northwest Mumbai to fund the legal procedure.

“I am saddened by the fact that we had to sell our home in Bandra to raise money to fight the court cases,” said Yasmin, who, along with the couple’s daughter, has since moved in with her brother-in-law.

The apex court had upheld the acquittal of Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, who were accused of providing topographical inputs to Kasab and his accomplices prior to the 26/11 attack.

The Maharashtra government had challenged the acquittal of Fahim and Sabauddin by the Bombay High Court, which had confirmed Kasab’s death penalty Feb 21, 2011, by the trial court.