Waghmare removed as Kasab's lawyer

Mumbai: Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab's lawyer Anjali Waghmare has been removed from the 26/11 attack case. The special court set up in the Arthur Road Jail to try Kasab removed Waghmare citing conflict of interest.

Waghmare has been removed for professional misconduct as she also represents a witness, Harishchandra Shrivardhankar, in the 26/11 Cama Hospital firing case.

Court asked and observed that she had ample opportunity to make the court known of the fact that she gave consultation to the victim/witness in the Cama Hospital case.

She had reportedly given e-mail instructions to Shrivardhankar in the case.

Shrivardhankar reportedly told investigation agencies about Waghmare advising him in the Cama Hospital case.

Waghmare has been removed as a lawyer can't represent two people at a time in the same case as the lawyer would have been representing two view points at the same time.

She reportedly started crying when the judge asked her to leave the court.

Citing public interest, advocate KBN Lam had moved an application before the court alleging that Waghmare had accepted the brief from Shrivardhankar, who was victim of attack by Kasab and his team members at Cama Hospital on November 26 last year.

The hearing went for about 20-25 minutes before the judge removed Waghmare.

Senior Public Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam will present arguments when the trial begins.

The court will now appoint another lawyer from the legal aid panel as Kasab's lawyer. Till a new lawyer is appointed Waghmare's assistant, KR Pawar will defend Kasab.

However, the court observed that they will be appointing a senior lawyer to defend Kasab

There are 15 more lawyers in the legal aid cell and the new lawyer’s background will be checked by Mumbai Crime Branch before the appointment.

However, the actual trial in the case has not yet begun as the judge did not open the confessional statement of Kasab. The confessional statement will also be distributed to the prosecution and defence.

The statement of Kasab will also be sent to the Union Home Ministry.

Nikam also said that Kasab had requested for a Pakistani lawyer to which the Pakistani government did not respond.

"We told Kasab that the Pakistan government is not responding to his request for a Pakistani lawyer. He has reque4sted us to put the request once again and this shall be done. In case they don't... we do not have much time. An eminent lawyer shall be appointed in India itself. We shall wait till tomorrow (Thursday) evening. Proceeding thereafter start from Friday," said Nikam.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Crime Branch chief Rakesh Maria said the Mumbai Police are looking for maximum punishment for Kasab and that there would be no security problem during the trial.