10-years of 26/11: 'I was called Kasab ki beti,' 9-year-old who was shot during 26/11 Mumbai attacks recalls horror

On November 26, 2008, a terror attack on Mumbai turned the day as 'darkest' for every Mumbaikar and Indian. When terrorists entered Mumbai from sea and triggered deadly terror attack. The deadly from Pakistan took place in several areas across Mumbai during wee hours, leading to death of around 166 people, including Americans, were killed in the attack carried out by Pakistan-based 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. One among the survivors, who identified Kasab recalls the horror of her life.

A nine-year-old girl, Devika Natwarlal Rotawan, who was shot in the leg by Ajmal Kasab during the siege of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on November 26, 2008, recalls the deadly attack by Pakistan.

She became a nationwide fame after public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam got Devika to testify in court and identify Kasab, the only attacker captured alive. Devika's walk in crutches into court was beamed into millions of homes, left everyone shattered and teary eyed, making her an overnight celebrity. 

Devika, who had spent the past few months recuperating from an injury couldn’t wait to get back to school. When on her first day back to school, Devika's found that she had no friends left, her classmates were either distant or frosty. “I was called Kasab ki Beti (Kasab’s daughter). I used to run home crying because the girls used to tease me and did not want to play with me,” said Rotawan.

After testifying in court, life was changed for her, she later had to leave the school and several institutions denied her admission. She said because many were scared to be associated with someone who identified a terrorist. Later, on neighbours and relatives had also started distancing themselves, fearing possible reprisals by other terrorist groups.

According to interview in HT, Devika father Natwarlal said her family received regular threat calls till the trial ended.“But that did not scare us a bit…I was depressed but that did not break me,” she added.

Now, the 9-year-old girl has all grown up and is a 19-year-old woman who shares a tiny 12 feet by 12 feet room in Bandra (east) with her father. She is in Class 11 and aims to become an Indian Police Service officer and she says she is happy to have seen Kasab hanged, but that more needs to be done.

“I knew he deserved to die but I think the government should take a stern step towards eliminating terrorism. I want to be the one to bring peace in the society. Kasab was just a small fish. I want to clean the entire ocean. “Instead of killing a terrorist, terrorism should be uprooted,” she said.

Devika shared what had happened on November 26, 2008 to HT and said she was on her way with her father and brother to see her elder brother, who worked in Pune.

“We were waiting on the platform when I heard a sound like firecrackers bursting. People began running. My brother had gone to the bathroom when the gunmen came charging into the station. My father told me to run and when I started, I felt a shooting pain. I had been shot in the right leg. Blood began flowing and within seconds I collapsed,” Devika recalled.

“For two months after the attack, I was in JJ hospital and was operated on several times. The police asked questions but my father did not want me to depose in court then. However, later on, he supported and motivated me,” she said.

“Ujjwal Nikam sir looked at me as I stood there knowing that I was face to face with the monster who wanted to kill me. When I was asked to tell the court who shot me, I raised my hand and pointed towards Kasab who stood there expressionless,” she added.

“Everyone met me and praised me, but no one helped me. We are still struggling to survive,” she said. She said she was promised a house but nothing has been done till date.

Devika travels regularly and passes by CST on her regular commute and said she sometimes goes to the spot where she was shot. “I stand there and close my eyes and feel as if I have travelled back in time to relive the moment. I feel I am standing there still and the world is moving in a fast forward mode. It is scary but it reminds me of the promise I have made to myself,” she said.

“I want to provide a good future to my father and brother and to my country. I want to be an IPS officer and fight terrorism and bring justice to all those who have suffered like me and my baba.”

Also read: 10 Years of 26/11: Another 26/11 Mumbai attack like terror threat by Pakistan will lead to a war