Waghmare to continue as Kasab lawyer

Advocate Anjali Waghmare, who was appointed by a special Mumbai court to defend Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, today agreed to continue as Kasab’s lawyer after she was provided high security by the Maharashtra government.

The 40-year-old lawyer had on Tuesday sought a day’s time to decide on her role following protests by Shiv Sena activists outside her residence in Worli after she was appointed defence counsel by the special court. Waghmare was taken aback by vociferous protests outside her residence in central Mumbai with relatives of police personnel also joining the protests staged by the Sena.

Special judge ML Tahiliyani today asked Waghmare if she had any problem with continuing as defence counsel for Kasab, a resident of Faridkot in Pakistan. “No, I will continue with the case,” Waghmare replied.

The court then appointed advocate KP Pawar, also an advocate from the Maharashtra Legal Services Authority, to assist her in the case. Judge Tahiliyani directed the state government to provide adequate security both to Waghmare and Pawar.