Kasab admits he is from Pakistan, OK for govt lawyer

Mumbai, Mar 23 (PTI) Ajmal Kasab, the lone gunman
arrested in the Mumbai terror attacks, Monday accepted before
the trial judge that he was a Pakistani national and told the
court he is fine with government-provided lawyer to defend
him.

21-year-old Kasab appeared before special judge M L
Tahiliyani via video link from the Arthur Road jail where he
is presently lodged in a high security cell giving the media
the first glimpse of the surviving terrorist who along with
his nine accomplices were involved in the carnage.

Tahiliyani asked Kasab to identify himself and asked
him where he was from. Kasab replied that he was from
Faridkot, in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Wearing a grey T-shirt, Kasab with a light beard and
moustache and dishevelled hair when asked by the court if he
wanted a lawyer for the trial, said, "If there will be a trial
then I will need a lawyer." Kasab was earlier asked if he had
a lawyer to which Kasab said , "As of now I don't have one."

Asked by the judge if he had any preference, he said,
"Could you just call the lawyer who appeared on my behalf on
November 27?"

The court informed him that he had no lawyer
representing him during his first and only court appearance
and if he is agreeable to a government-appointed lawyer.

"Theek hai (all right)," Kasab said, speaking in Hindi
during the court appearance.

When asked by the judge if he knew him, Kasab replied
in English, "I don't."

Subsequently, Judge Tahiliyani introduced himself, "I
am the judge who will conduct the trial in your case." Hearing
this Kasab smiled and replied, "Namaste". PTI