In 2009, Justice M L Tahaliyani told Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, executed convict of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes, in a hearing conducted via video conferencing, that he would be the judge presiding over the trial. “Namaste,” greeted Kasab, not knowing then that the judge would sentence him to death a year later.

With 28 years of judicial service, Justice Tahaliyani — best known for his judgement in the November 26, 2008, attacks — retired on Friday as a Bombay High Court judge.

On May 6, 2010, Justice Tahaliyani pronounced his landmark order giving death penalty to Kasab for murder, waging war, criminal conspiracy and committing terrorist acts.

Justice Tahaliyani had presided over other sensational cases, such as the murder cases of music mogul Gulshan Kumar and trade union leader Datta Samant.