26/11: Ajmal Amir asks for lawyer

Mohammad Ajmal Amir (Kasab), the lone gunman arrested for the November 26 terror strikes here, for the first time asked for a lawyer to represent him in the case. In a hearing conducted via video conferencing on Monday, he stated in Hindi, “I want a lawyer.” Ajmal’s plea will be examined by the prosecution in the light of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987. The court will discuss and decide on the legal entitlements of the Pakistani national on March 30. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the court that Ajmal’s earlier preference for consular access and other options as per the Act have to be studied. “If he is entitled to legal aid, we have to see how we can give it. In case it is not possible to give legal aid to Ajmal, an amicus curiae (friend of the court) may be appointed. Whatever is the case, none of the accused will be undefended,” he told the media later. On Tuesday, Ajmal and two other accused in the case, Fahim Ansari and Mohammad Sabahuddin, attended court proceedings via video conferencing. Mr. Nikam said that when the judge M.L. Tahaliyani asked him who his lawyer was, Ajmal said a lawyer represented him at the first hearing (on November 27). The judge corrected the accused and told him that there was no one defending him that day. He further asked Ajmal if he wanted legal aid to which he said yes. Ajmal was wearing a black t-shirt and denims. Mr. Nikam said that he appeared to be in a genial mood and was even smiling to himself. When Mr. Tahaliyani asked him, “Do you know before whom you are standing?,” Ajmal replied in English, “I don’t know.” Mr. Tahaliyani said he would be conducting the trial. In response to this, Ajmal greeted the judge with a namaste. The surviving terrorist said he was from Pakistan and gave his Faridkot address. In another development, the court on Tuesday partially lifted the ban on media coverage of the trial and broadcast of electronic material. Mr. Tahaliyani, however, ordered a ban on publication or broadcast of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage and telephone conversations of the terrorists and their handlers, lest it harm the case and jeopardise the life of witnesses. Violation of the court order would invoke punitive action, the court warned. Nobody shall publish any part of video or audio recordings, which have been collected by the police and produced in court, the order states. The proscribed electronic data includes video recordings done on CCTV at Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Trident and Oberoi hotels, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and in front of the Times of India building. In response to the prosecution’s objection to detailed description of the security arrangements for Ajmal, the court did not pass a formal order, but expected the media to exercise self-regulation and be responsible. It also asked the prosecution to investigate leaks to the media.

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