‘What happened outside Cama on the 26/11 night?’
Ref : epaper.timesofindia.com
June 9, 2010
One question that Kasab’s newly-appointed lawyer is dying to ask him
Just a month after Ajmal Kasab was sentenced to death by the special court, the case has now been put on the fast track in the next legal recourse. The Bombay High Court, on Tuesday, through its legal aid cell - Maharashtra State Legal Aid Authority – appointed two well known criminal lawyers Amin Solkar and Farhana Shah to represent Kasab in the appeal against his conviction.
While Solkar has handled a slew of terror cases other than showcasing his expertise in dealing with all sorts of criminal cases, Shah’s best known legal effort so far has been her handling the case of several dozen accused, including actor Sanjay Dutt’s, in the 1993 blasts trial.
Senior lawyer Solkar, who will be assisted by Shah, spoke to Mumbai Mirror soon after his appointment:
How do you plan to handle such an important case at this appellate stage?
Whatever information I have gathered about Kasab’s case has been from the media. So I first plan to meet Kasab along with Farhana and we will have to seek his instructions to build our defence. I will then go through the voluminous case papers and after that file an appeal against his conviction.
What does this appointment as Kasab’s lawyer mean to you?
Interestingly, I wasn’t on the legal aid panel and yet Justice J N Patel found me to be a suitable lawyer for Kasab among so many names, and hence this appointment makes me feel special. This will be a closelywatched case, not just by the national media, but internationally too. I have to ensure that I deliver my best so as to live up to everybody’s expectations, and also of Justice Patel who has appointed me.
How is this case unique as opposed to other terror cases in which you appeared as a defence lawyer?
This is my first terror case where I will not be appearing at the trial stage, but at the appellate stage and hence my focus would almost entirely rest on structuring the best arguments after duly considering the evidence that has been recorded. My biggest challenge would be to try and bring some new legal point to the court’s notice.
Is a defence lawyer almost redundant in such a case where the verdict seems to be a foregone conclusion?
Our efforts will be to bring forth the most crucial law points and be optimistic. Then there is the judge and the God to take care of the rest.
What is that one question that you have been dying to ask Kasab, which you will on meeting him?
Since there are so many conspiracy theories and such doubts over the manner in which senior officers like Hemant Karkare and Ashok Kamte were killed outside Cama hospital, I too am curious to know the truth and will definitely ask him to reveal as to what exactly happened that night.
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