Rana's acquittal in Mumbai case will remain mystery for ever

Chicago, Jun 11 (PTI) It will remain a mystery for
ever as to why the 12-member jury of a Chicago court acquitted
Tahawwur Husain Rana from his involvement in the western
Indian city Mumbai terrorist attack that killed more than 160
people, as charged by federal prosecutors in one of the three
counts.
As the 12-member jury decided not speak to the media
after the verdict was announced and opted to remain anonymous
forever, the split verdict given by them – which has resulted
in a big disappointment to not only the victims of the Mumbai
terrorist attacks, but also the governments of India and the
US – would now only be a subject of speculation by media and
analysts.
At the request of the jury, it has been decided that
names of the 12-members would forever remain anonymous and
would never be made public.
The biggest question is how can one help a terrorist
organisation that they believe was involved in the Mumbai
attacks, but determine that Rana had no role in the actual
attack itself.
The nearest explanation so far has come from US
Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who soon after the verdict said
that according to him Rana's acquittal in Mumbai case came
because "prosecutors failed to prove Rana knew about the
Mumbai plot before it happened".
"I'm not disappointed overall. I'm disappointed in one
charge being an acquittal but very gratified overall because
the other two charges were very serious," Fitzgerald said.
On the other hand, Charlie Swift, Rana's attorney
believed that the jury followed the evidence.
"The evidence was clear that Mr Rana did not play a
role in the Mumbai accounts," he said.
The 12-member jury from various ethnic backgrounds,
comprising both men and women, who were selected following
intense screening and questioning process, held deliberations
for more than 12 hours spread over two days inside a closed
room on the 19th floor of the federal court room in downtown
Chicago.
During this period, no one was allowed to enter the
room.
At any point of time if the jury needed any question
or any requirement – for example a marker -- they would knock
at the door from inside and the a special designated court
officer would take that piece of paper hand over to the judge
for necessary action.
On the first day, at least once they adopted this
procedure when they sought clarification on the ISI and LeT
links of Illyas Kashmiri and Pasha.
After the verdict was given, US District Judge Harry D
Leinenweber announced the judgement in the court room in
presence of the jury, the attorneys and defendant Rana;
besides a huge contingent of media.
The judge gave members of the jury the option to speak
to the media after the verdict to explain to the world behind
the verdict and give an insight into their decision making
process.
The court in fact had made special arrangements for
the media to cover this expected press conference by the jury
and as an exception allowed one television camera, one radio
device and one photographer, besides the print journalists for
this event.
And immediately after the verdict, press persons
rushed from the 19th floor of the building to the 25th floor
where the jury was to give the news conference and they queued
outside the room to be screened by the security.
"Jury has decided not to address the media" announced
one of the court officials communicating to the media the
decision of the jury in this regard. This came as a big
disappointment to journalists, who were waiting outside the
court room for last two days.
As one court official put it: "This is a question,
which only the jury can give. Now that they have decided not
to meet the press and remain anonymous, it will remain a
mystery."