# Devika Rotawan > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Devika_Rotawan > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Devika_Rotawan.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devika_Rotawan > Source revision: 1353109072 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Indian terrorist-attack survivor}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Devika Rotawan | image = | caption = | native_name = देविका रोतावन | birth_date = | birth_place = [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai), [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra) | education = [Chetana College](/source/Chetana_College) }} '''Devika Rotawan''' is a survivor of the [2008 Mumbai attacks](/source/2008_Mumbai_attacks) (also referred to as 26/11) and a key witness who identified [Ajmal Kasab](/source/Ajmal_Kasab) during trial as a perpetrator of the attack.{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Soutik |title=The girl who identified Qasab |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/11/anniversaries_are_remembrances_of_things.html |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |date=26 November 2010}} She was nine years old when she was shot in the leg during the attack in the [Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus](/source/Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Terminus), [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai).{{cite news |last1=David |first1=Supriti |title='Every family has a different story, a unique trauma' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/every-family-has-a-different-story-a-unique-trauma/article30091619.ece |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu) |date=27 November 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67436731|title=Mumbai 26/11: The child who identified the Mumbai terror attacker|date=24 November 2023 |publisher=BBC news}} ==Early life and education== Devika Rotawan was born to Sarika and Natwarlal Rotawan and has two brothers.{{cite news |last1=Wangchuk |first1=Rinchen Norbu |title=Exclusive: Shot On Her Leg, This Girl Was Just 10 When She Testified Against Ajmal Kasab! |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/164836/26-11-inspirational-devika-rotawan-mumbai-hero-news/ |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[The Better India](/source/The_Better_India) |date=20 November 2018}} Her mother died in 2006. Her father sold dried fruit before the [2008 Mumbai attacks](/source/2008_Mumbai_attacks). ==2008 Mumbai attacks== Rotawan was nine years old when she was injured in the [2008 Mumbai attacks](/source/2008_Mumbai_attacks).{{Cite web |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/kasabs-bullet-hit-my-right-leg-youngest-2611-terror-attack-witness-recounts |title=When Kasab Shot Me, He Smiled': Youngest 26/11 Witness Recounts |website=[The Quint](/source/The_Quint) |date=26 November 2020 |access-date=26 November 2020}} On 26 November 2008, she was waiting for a train with her father and brother when the attack started, and she was shot in her leg.{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Soutik |title=Mumbai: A symbolic conviction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/05/what_does_the_conviction_of.html |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |date=3 May 2010}} After the attack, she had six surgeries and spent 45 days in the hospital. She lost the use of her right leg{{cite news |title=Kasab deserves no mercy, says father of girl who lost her leg in attack |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/Kasab-deserves-no-mercy-says-father-of-girl-who-lost-her-leg-in-attack/article16297859.ece |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu) |agency=[PTI](/source/Press_Trust_of_India) |date=3 May 2010 |quote=updated November 11, 2016}} during her treatment and recuperation.{{cite news |last1=Nichenametla |first1=Prasad |title=Looking at the bright side |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/looking-at-the-bright-side/story-uqfyMkKujPALeHAAsOldVK.html |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[Hindustan Times](/source/Hindustan_Times) |date=11 December 2008}}{{cite news |title=The day they were scarred forever |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/the-day-they-were-scarred-forever/story-YFI5Anv3tP5pbLW9RQ90EJ.html |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[Hindustan Times](/source/Hindustan_Times) |date=20 December 2012}} She was the youngest witness in the trial against [Ajmal Kasab](/source/Ajmal_Kasab).{{cite news |last1=Salve |first1=Sachin |title=Taunted as 'Kasab ki Beti', Girl Who Led 26/11 Attacker to Gallows Wants to Become IPS Officer |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/taunted-as-kasab-ki-beti-girl-who-led-2611-attacker-to-gallows-wants-to-become-ips-officer-1947113.html |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[News18](/source/News18_India) |date=26 November 2018}} She was recuperating from her injuries while also preparing for the trial in meetings with lawyers and depositions.{{cite news |date=26 November 2020 |title=12 years of 26/11 attacks: Plucky Mumbai girl who sealed Ajmal Kasab's fate |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/mumbai/2020/nov/26/12-years-of-2611-attacksplucky-mumbai-girl-who-sealed-ajmal-kasabs-fate-2228305.html |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[The New Indian Express](/source/The_New_Indian_Express) |agency=[IANS](/source/Indo-Asian_News_Service)}} On 10 June 2009, during her trial testimony, she identified Kasab as an attacker in the train station, and her father also testified.{{cite news |last1=Pinglay |first1=Prachi |title=Girl 'identifies Mumbai gunman' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8093749.stm |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |date=10 June 2009}}{{cite news |title=Youngest 26/11 witness identifies Kasab as CST gunman |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/youngest-26-11-witness-identifies-kasab-as-cst-gunman-395953 |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[NDTV](/source/NDTV) |agency=[PTI](/source/Press_Trust_of_India) |date=10 June 2009}} ==Post-attack life== After the attacks, her family received compensation from the government and financial support from politicians and organizations, and spent much of the money on the medical care for her brother Jayesh. She has said additional compensation later went to her own medical treatment. She and her family moved to [Rajasthan](/source/Rajasthan), where her father is from and has family, then returned to [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai) for the trial, and moved to a [Bandra](/source/Bandra) slum in 2009.{{cite news |last1=Iyer |first1=Kavitha |date=25 November 2018 |title=Devika Rotawan: I want to be an IPS officer, I'll end terrorism |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/26-11/stories-of-strength/devika-rotawan-i-want-to-be-an-ips-officer-ill-end-terrorism/ |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)}} When she attempted to attend school after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, she was teased and shunned by her classmates.{{cite news |last1=Sood |first1=Megha |date=25 November 2018 |title='They called me Kasab ki beti': 9-year-old shot during 26/11 Mumbai attacks recounts horror |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/they-called-me-kasab-ki-beti-9-year-old-shot-during-26-11-mumbai-attacks-recounts-horror/story-s2ctkbHVXieAnVafqC1gcO.html |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[Hindustan Times](/source/Hindustan_Times)}} She began school at age 11, but had at first encountered resistance to her enrollment due to security concerns. She enrolled to IES New English High School, Bandra east, completed HSC from [Siddharth College](/source/Siddharth_College_of_Arts%2C_Science_and_Commerce), [Fort](/source/Fort). She completed her graduation in Arts from [Chetana College](/source/Chetana_College) in 2023. She has said she wants to become an IPS officer. In 2019, she shared her story with the website [Humans of Bombay](/source/Humans_of_Bombay). In 2020, she said she still had not received the home she had been promised by the government, and Maharashtra MLA [Zeeshan Siddique](/source/Zeeshan_Siddique) advocated to Chief Minister [Uddhav Thackeray](/source/Uddhav_Thackeray) for the home to be provided to her.{{cite news |title='Devika Rotawan was 9–year-old when she identified Kasab' - Uddhav Thackeray urged to allot a house to girl |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/maharashtra-news/article/devika-rotawan-was-9-year-old-when-she-identified-kasab-uddhav-thackeray-urged-to-allot-a-house-to-girl/652431 |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[TimesNowNews](/source/Times_Now) |date=14 September 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Chandrashekar |title="She Was 9 When She Identified Kasab": MLA's Appeal To Uddhav Thackeray |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/devika-rotawan-she-was-9-when-she-identified-kasab-mlas-appeal-to-uddhav-thackeray-2295174 |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[NDTV](/source/NDTV) |date=14 September 2020}} In October 2020, after she filed a petition in court seeking the home from the government and asserted her family was unable to pay rent on their [chawl](/source/chawl) in Bandra, the [Bombay High Court](/source/Bombay_High_Court) ordered Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar to consider it.{{cite news |title=Bombay HC asks state to consider 26/11 survivor's plea for govt house & higher education |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-asks-state-to-consider-26-11-survivors-plea-for-govt-house-higher-education-6724124/ |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express) |date=14 October 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Saigal |first1=Sonam |title=26/11 victim moves HC, seeks accommodation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/2611-victim-moves-hc-seeks-accommodation/article32432835.ece |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu) |date=25 August 2020}} On 14 March 2024, the [Bombay High Court](/source/Bombay_High_Court) ruled that Rotawan must be given ownership of the house within six months.{{Cite news |last=Sequeira |first=Rosy |date=2024-03-14 |title=Youngest 26/11 survivor to get Mhada or SRA house as 'special case' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/youngest-2611-survivor-devika-rotawan-to-get-mhada-or-sra-house-as-special-case/articleshow/108475764.cms |access-date=2025-07-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} ==Devika Rotawan vs State of Maharashtra== In 2020, as a victim of terrorist attack, Rotawan filed a petition to request the government to allot for a house under the economically weaker section (EWS) and the high court directed the government to consider her plea and pass appropriate orders. In 2022, Rotawan once again moved the high court noting that her representation was rejected by the government. The government had then said that a compensation amount of Rs 13.26 lakh was handed to Rotawan on compassionate grounds. The high court had then directed the state government to reconsider her representation for allotment of residential premises. Rotawan again approached the high court with the help of her lawyer and in March 2024, the high court observed it as a genuine case of one of the youngest survivors and eye-witnesses of the 26/11 terror attacks which requires to be dealt with more sensitivity and being mindful of her human rights, the [Bombay High Court](/source/Bombay_High_Court) on Wednesday told the State Housing Minister to consider a request made by Devika Rotawan for a house under the economically weaker section (EWS) quota. The Bombay High Court has rebuked the Maharashtra government for its handling of a housing request by Devika Rotawan, a victim of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The court directed the housing department to review Rotawan's request for a house under the economically weaker section (EWS) scheme with greater sensitivity, considering her exceptional circumstances and basic human rights. The bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Firdosh Pooniwalla emphasised a comprehensive review of all allotments, stating, "We will appoint a high power committee of independent persons. We are very serious about this issue. Once we see a violation of human rights, and mechanically closing files, we will not appreciate this." In its order, the bench stressed that cases like Rotawan's, involving victims of terrorist attacks, demand more human sensitivity and discretion, urging the housing minister to take an appropriate decision.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/house-for-2611-victim-devika-rotawan-bombay-high-court-tells-maharashtra-govt-to-show-sensitivity-2508173-2024-02-28/|title=House for 26/11 victim: Bombay High Court tells Maharashtra govt to show sensitivity|date=28 Feb 2024|access-date=28 February 2024}} On 14 March 2024, they ruled that Rotawan must be given ownership of the house within six months. ==Honours, awards and recognition== In 2009, she was honoured with an award from a NGO.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} She also received the Nagrik Ratan award in [Rajasthan](/source/Rajasthan) from [Banwari Lal Joshi](/source/Banwari_Lal_Joshi).{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In 2014, she was awarded a Women Achievers Award, Rajasthan Gaurav Award, Shree Ganganagar Rajasthan Award from Tapovan trust, and the Baramati Award from [Ajit Pawar](/source/Ajit_Pawar) and [Sharad Pawar](/source/Sharad_Pawar).{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In October 2022, United Nations Secretary-General [António Guterres](/source/Ant%C3%B3nio_Guterres) met with Rotawan. Speaking at the special meeting of the [United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee](/source/United_Nations_Security_Council_Counter-Terrorism_Committee), Rotawan said she wanted to become a police officer so that she can play a role in combating terror. She also demanded a strong law to deal with the terror. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pm3Pc-DTjI/ I had never seen a terrorist before, says 10-yr-old Rotawan] ([NDTV](/source/NDTV), YouTube, 26 November 2009) * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTKrq2fD6Uk/ 26/11 Stories Of Strength: Devika Rotawan] (''[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)'', YouTube, 30 November 2016) * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X3ztuK27jE/ Mumbai 26/11 attacks: The story of the youngest witness : Mid Day] ([Mid-Day](/source/Mid-Day), YouTube, 25 November 2018) * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNbwl_G4vWw/ 26/11 Survivor Devika Rotawan Speaks to Malishka] ([Red FM India](/source/Red_FM_93.5), YouTube, 26 November 2018) *{{Instagram|devika_rotawan_26.11}} {{2008 Mumbai attacks}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rotawan, Devika}} Category:People from Mumbai Category:Survivors of the 2008 Mumbai attacks Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century Indian women Category:University of Mumbai alumni {{Improve categories|date=November 2021}} --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Devika Rotawan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devika_Rotawan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devika_Rotawan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.