The Maharashtra government’s petition, seeking confirmation of the death sentence awarded to 22-year-old Pakistani gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab, is expected to come up for hearing before the Bombay high court in the first week of August.

According to sources, the state’s plea along with Kasab’s appeal is expected to come up for hearing before a bench headed by Justice Ranjana Desai, who is at present hearing the criminal appeals.

As per the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), every verdict of capital punishment handed out by a trial court has to be confirmed by the high court.

A special court had held Kasab guilty on May 6 on charges of conspiracy and murder of 166 persons during the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai.

Kasab was convicted of killing seven people, including constable Tukaram Ombale, and of being part of the conspiracy to kill top cops Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar.

Within a month of the judgement, Kasab sent a letter to the High Court praying to file an appeal challenging the death sentence and asking for advocates to fight his case.

Following this, Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority had appointed two lawyers-Amin Solkar and Farhana Shah-to represent him who are also in process of filing the appeal on behalf of Kasab.

The confirmation case, along with the appeals filed by Kasab and the state, are likely to be heard together.

UNI