26/11 Mumbai terror attack: On her way to Pune, she came face to face with Ajmal Kasab at CST on that fateful day

Talking about that day, Rotawan told The Indian Express a bomb went off when she, her father, and elder brother arrived at CST to return to Pune late on November 26, 2008, and was witness to indiscriminate firing. “My father said something wrong was happening and that we should move out of this place. While escaping, a bullet was fired into my right leg and I fainted. I was taken to St George hospital, where many victims were taken,” said Rotawan.

Rotawan, who now lives in Mumbai, was then shifted to J J Hospital where she underwent six surgeries. “I was admitted at J J Hospital for over a month and a half and was operated on six times to remove the bullet”.

“After getting discharged, I went to my native place in Rajasthan. A few days later I got a call from Mumbai Crime Branch to identify the terrorists. My father and I agreed to that as we had seen the terrorists. On June 10, 2009, we went to the court and identified Kasab,” she added.

Rotawan, an arts graduate, said she received a compensation of Rs 3,26,000 from the government. “A few years later, when Devendra Fadnavis was the chief minister of Maharashtra, I wrote to the government for more help which took a year or two to get approved. Through the CM Relief Fund, I got Rs 10 lakh, which was of great help as I was dealing with some health issues and financially we were not strong,” Rotawan said.

On the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Rotawan has a message for people. “I will never forget the night of 26/11. I just wanted to tell the citizens of the country that never lose hope, always be strong, no matter what the situation, confront it and move on, and try and help each other. If police officers can fight for the country, then as citizens we should definitely do something for our country.”