Overwhelming evidence but I have to defend Kasab: Kazmi

Mumbai, May 17 (PTI) With overwhelming evidence in the
chargesheet against November 26 Mumbai terror attack accused
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, his lawyer Abbas Kazmi Sunday said
it was going to be "an uphill task" for him but he would put
"his best foot forward" to save the accused.

"To me, it appears to be an open and shut case... but I
have a role to play as a defence lawyer. My job is to defend
the accused and I would do my best," Kazmi told PTI.

"There seems to be overwhelming evidence against Kasab
with more than 30 eyewitnesses and other scientific evidence.
It is an uphill task for me but I will put in my best foot
forward to save him," he said.

Kazmi said that he had not assured Kasab that he would
save him but certainly had explained to him about the charges
he was facing and the enormity of the case.

To a querry on whether he is facing any moral dilemma
while defending Kasab, the advocate replied, "I am performing
my job as a lawyer.

"Why doesn't anyone ask the doctor who treated Kasab
after he was injured in the encounter at Girgaum Chowpatty as
to why he did not kill the alleged terrorist?

"The doctor was performing his duty and I am performing
mine," he quipped.

On Kasab's mood swings during trial, Kazmi said, "He is a
young boy of tender age and has been in solitary confinement
since his arrest. On the first day of the trial, he was
excited to see so many people, including the media and so he
may have smiled a lot".

However, he changed his attitude after the court rebuked
him for his behaviour.

"I explained to him that smiles would not help him and
that he has to consider the seriousness of the case," the
lawyer said.

Taking a dig at public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam's demand
for an amendment in Juvenile Justice Act to prevent minors
being used by terrorist organisations to carry out terror
acts, Kazmi said that more than the stringent law, steps
should be taken to fortify the country so as to ensure that
borders and the vast coastline did not remain porous for
infiltration.

The lawyer said that Kasab had not disclosed anything
about his family background or about his relatives in Pakistan
to him.

"I am allowed to talk to Kasab for only 15 to 20 minutes
everyday after the court hours and at that time we are
surrounded by security personnel. I only discuss the case with
him and nothing else," he asserted.

On Kasab's demand for books, newspapers and perfume,
Kazmi said that it is the right and privilege of every
undertrial to avail basic amenities including toiletries.

"This is the normal practice in case of every accused
and not just Kasab," he said.

"The manner in which Kasab has been lodged and the
condition of his barrack amounts to pre-trial punishment...
the toilet is attached with his barrack and the place is
stinking so he has asked for khusboo (perfume)," he added.

Kazmi, who had acted in a few television serials and
Bollywood movies, said, "I will always be an actor. Even as a
lawyer, I am acting," when asked about his experience as an
actor. PTI SVS
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