I need a lawyer: Kasab

Mumbai, Mar 23 (PTI) Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the
lone terrorist arrested in the November 26 terror attacks in
India's financial hub Mumbai, Monday said that he needed a
lawyer and was agreeable to a court-appointed government
defence lawyer representing him.

Kasab appeared before special judge M L Tahiliyani via
video conferencing from the Arthur Road jail where he is
presently lodged in a high security cell.

Dressed in a grey T-shirt, a bearded Kasab, 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."

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 asked him
if he is agreeable to a government-appointed lawyer.

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

Judge Tahiliyani said he will inform jail authorities of
his next court appearance and it will be conveyed to him.

After thanking the judge, Kasab was taken back to his
cell.

Earlier, Kasab told the court that he was a resident of
Faridkot in the Punjab area of Pakistan and had received a
copy of the charge-sheet.

Asked if he had a lawyer, Kasab said, "As of now I don't
have one."

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

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

The media, for the first time, was permitted today to be
present during the video conferencing with Kasab in the
sessions court complex in south Mumbai.

The court will give its order on the prosecution's plea
to postpone the trial to April 13 later in the day.

The prosecution had sought the trial be postponed in
order to ready the special high security court in Arthur Road
jail.

Two alleged Indian Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, Faheem
Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, will also face trial in the case
and were produced before the court through video conferencing
today.

Over 160 persons were killed in the November 26 terror
strikes. Nine terrorists, who were involved in the attacks
were killed in a standoff with security forces.

Following is the text of conversation between Judge
Tahilyani and Kasab:
Judge Tahilyani: Tumhara naam kya hai? (What's your name)
Kasab: Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab.
Judge: Kahan ke rehne wale ho? (Where are you from)
Kasab: Pakistan main Faridkot. (Faridkot in Pakistan)
Judge: Kya tumhe charge-sheet ki copy mili? (Did you
receive a copy of the chargesheet)
Kasab: Haan. (Yes)
Judge: Vakil hai kya? (Do you have a lawyer)
Kasab: Filhal toh nahi. (As of now.. no)
Judge: Vakil appoint karna chahte ho? (Do you want to
appoint a lawyer)
Kasab: Jee sir. Jo November 27 ko mere liye khade hue
the.. unhi ko bulalo." (Yes sir, you can call the lawyer who
appeared on my behalf on November 27..)

Judge: Meri jaankari main toh aapke liye koi lawyer nahi
tha. Aap chahte ho toh aapko sarkari vakil appoint karke de
sakte hain. (As per my knowledge, there was no lawyer for you
on that day. If you wish we can appoint a defence lawyer from
the government)

Kasab: Theek hai sir. (Alright sir) .

Judge: Kya aap jaante ho main kaun hoon? (Do you know who
I am)

Kasab: I don't

Judge: Main judge hoon jo tumhara case chalane wala hoon.
(I am the Judge, who is going to conduct the trial in your
case)"
Kasab (smiling): Namaste!

Judge: Agli date case ka.. main court mein order paas
karunga jo aapko jail ki Superintendent bata degi. (I will
pass the order regarding the next date in the case in the
court, which the jail superintendent will let you know)
Kasab: Bilkul theek sir. (Alright sir) PTI