MUMBAI: India yesterday appointed a lawyer for the lone militant suspect captured by police during the Mumbai attacks, four months after his high-profile arrest.
“We have appointed a lawyer for you,” Judge M.H. Tahiliani told Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, during a 20-minute pre-trial hearing via video link at a Mumbai court. “Her name is Anjali Waghmare.” Qasab, wearing trousers, a navy blue T-shirt and sporting a thin beard, replied in Hindi via video link from the jail where he is on remand: “That is fine by me.” The Pakistani national, accused of “waging war” on India and a string of other charges, including murder and attempted murder, appeared composed and relaxed during the hearing, which was adjourned until April 6.
The 21-year-old has been without legal representation since his arrest on Nov. 26 last year, soon after a group of 10 militants stormed India’s financial and entertainment capital.
Amid outrage at the atrocities, a number of lawyers have said that Qasab should be denied legal representation, sparking concern from human rights groups.
Others who have said they would represent him have been condemned as unpatriotic and some advocates’ homes were ransacked.
Waghmare, who is based in Pune, about 220 km from Mumbai, told reporters outside court that she “expected” her appointment, adding: “I am confident about this. This is for the people.”
The judge told Qasab that a junior lawyer would assist Waghmare, who speaks English, Hindi plus the local language Marathi and will explain the charges to him. He was asked if he had anything to add and said only that he wanted to be able to read newspapers in his cell. The judge said he would consider the request.
Two Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) suspects, Indian nationals Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, also appeared alongside Qasab. They are accused of giving logistical support to the attackers. They were remanded in custody to the same date.
