26/11: Waghmare to withdraw from Kasab's case

Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) Under attack from Shiv Sainiks,
the activists of far-right political outfit Shiv Sena, for
taking up the case of Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, special court
appointed advocate Anjali Waghmare has told the protestors
that she would withdraw from representing the 26/11 terrorist.

In a letter to Sainiks, who attacked her residence
Monday night, she said she will withdraw from the case.

Waghmare is yet to inform the court about her
decision.

If Waghmare withdraws from the case, the court will
have to appoint another lawyer from the panel of the Legal
Aid cell.

A group of around 100 activists had attacked
Waghmare's suburban residence late Monday night protesting her
appointment as Kasab's lawyer.

The mob pelted stones at her residence. She was,
however, unhurt in the attacks and police used batons to
disperse the mob.

The situation was later brought under control.

Reacting to the attack on Waghmare's house, Special
Public Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam told PTI that "the attacks by
Shiv Sainiks was totally uncalled for and it will adversely
affect the proceedings of the case".

"Waghmare was appointed by the court to appear for
Kasab and any objection to this amounts to disobedience of the
court's order and that person can be booked under Contempt of
Court," he said, adding political parties should understand
the international ramifications of the case. PTI SP
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