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At last, gunman Ajmal gets a lawyer

Staff Reporter

Special sessions court appoints Anjali Waghmare to defend the lone surviving Mumbai attacker

— Photo: Special Arrangement

Ajmal’s counsel Anjali Waghmare

Mumbai: Ending a four-month suspense over legal representation to the lone surviving Mumbai attacker, Mohammad Ajmal Amir, the special sessions court on Monday appointed Anjali Waghmare his lawyer.

Judge M.L. Tahaliyani announced her name, from the legal aid panel list, to Ajmal via videoconferencing. The accused will get to meet his lawyer on April 6 during the next hearing in the Arthur Road jail here.

Introducing her to Ajmal, Mr. Tahaliyani said: “She is your lawyer, Mrs. Anjali Waghmare.” To this, Ajmal gave an acknowledging smile. The judge told the terrorist that the defence lawyer was well versed in English and Marathi and would explain the charge sheet to him. Therefore, there was no need for Urdu translation, which Ajmal demanded earlier. “You can brief her when you are produced in court.”

An overwhelmed Ms. Waghmare told journalists that she expected the court’s decision. “I am confident. I am an Indian. I know what I am doing for the people.”

Ms. Waghmare said appointing a lawyer for Ajmal was a legal requirement for the case to proceed. It was also the government’s decision. “So, my role is as good as representing the government.”

Despite past attacks on lawyers who expressed a willingness to take up Ajmal’s case, Ms. Waghmare denied that she had any concerns over her safety. “The citizens, my Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians understand the situation. I am also among them. I want them to support me. I am sure people will extend their cooperation and allow the trial to run smoothly.”

According to Ms. Waghmare, there were seven lawyers on the legal aid panel. None else turned up in court on time. Ms. Waghmare has been practising in Mumbai since 1996 and has appeared briefly for a 1993 Mumbai blast accused Karimulla. In the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attack case, she will be assisted by a junior lawyer as the charge sheet runs into 11, 280 pages. While no order on the junior lawyer has come so far, she has named K.P. Pawar.

Seeks newspapers

After the court announced the lawyer for him, 21-year-old Ajmal seemed eager for something else. “I want the paper list,” he told the court in Hindi, creating confusion. The judge then volunteered an interpretation. “Do you want newspapers,” he asked in Hindi. This cleared the air and Ajmal promptly replied, “Ji Sir” (Yes Sir). The court will consider his demand on April 6.

Meanwhile, the other two accused in the case, Fahim Ansari and Mohammad Sabahuddin, have agreed to continue with counsel Ejaz Naqvi. During the last hearing, Ansari, voicing a preference for legal aid, rejected Mr. Naqvi’s vakalatnama. Sabahuddin too showed some uncertainty.

On Monday, Ansari named three lawyers — Hyder Ali Momin, Sudeep Pasbola and Mubin Solkar — as his choice. However, when the court said the three were not on the legal aid panel, he opted to retain Mr. Naqvi.

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