Mumbai: SG Abbas Kazmi will continue as 26/11 Mumbai attacker Ajmal Amir Kasab's lawyer after tendering an unconditional apology to the special court for his remarks that he was least bothered about affidavits of witnesses filed by the prosecution.
Kazmi apologised for his remarks after speaking to Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam for about 45 minutes on Friday morning. He then appeared before Judge ML Tahaliyani and apologised.
The Judge then decided to let Kazmi continue as Kasab's lawyer in the interest for a speedy trial. It was also decided not to keep remarks made by Kazmi on Thursday on the record.
After being reprimanded by the Judge on Thursday for his "irresponsible" statement and a notice to explain why his services should not be terminated for "misconduct" Kazmi had said that he needed legal advice and had asked for 24 hours to be given to him.
Kazmi made the statement after Nikam informed Judge Tahaliyani that he desired to file 340 affidavits of formal witnesses and that copies of 233 such documents have already been served on the defence lawyer.
Kazmi was then asked by the Judge whether he wanted to cross examine any of the witnesses, he said he would declare his strategy after prosecutor Nikam files these affidavits in the court.
Nikam said he had informed the court in his opening address on May 8 that he would be filing such affidavits.
However, Kazmi said Nikam had not made such disclosure in his opening address, prompting the judge to say that he (Kazmi) was telling lies.
"This is a serious matter and you are telling lies. I now have to consider whether to continue you as a defence lawyer. You have been appointed by the court to defend the accused and it is your duty to cooperate in the interest of justice," Judge Tahaliyani observed.
The lone surviving terrorist involved in the 26/11 attacks, Kasab, is being tried at a special cell inside the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.
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