MUMBAI: As there was no response from Pakistan relating to the request of the lone surviving alleged terrorist of the Mumbai attacks Mohammed Ajmal Qasab for a Pakistani lawyer, Mumbai Special Court Judge M.I. Tahilyani, conducting the trial, yesterday appointed veteran criminal lawyer Abbas Kazmi as the new lawyer to defend Qasab. He will be assisted by another lawyer K.P. Pawar.
On the second day of trial, the special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam told the court that Qasab’s request for a Pakistani lawyer was faxed to the joint secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, to be forwarded to Pakistan through diplomatic channels, but there has been no response.
Nikam told the court that Qasab was guilty of the brutal murder of 166 persons during the three-day terror attacks in Mumbai in November 2008. The judge then looked at Qasab and told him that Kazmi, with 20 long years of experience, would be his new lawyer replacing Anjali Waghmare, who was dismissed on Wednesday on grounds of professional misconduct.
“After due deliberation it was decided advocate Abbas Kazmi will represent the accused,” Tahilyani said in the specially built court housed in Arthur Road Jail, where Qasab is held. Kazmi said he had volunteered his services because other lawyers had been unwilling.
“I am willing to appear for the accused,” Kazmi told the judge, saying it was important to show that India — while still in shock over the attacks — can put on a fair trial.
