Maha Govt to pay Rs 2,500 per day to Kasab's lawyer

Mumbai, June 2 (PTI) Senior Lawyer Abbas Kazmi, who is
representing prime accused in the 26/11 terror attack case
Mohammed Azmal Amir Kasab, will get Rs 2,500 per day as
remuneration from the India's western state Maharashtra
Government.

The case is heard five days -- Monday to Friday -- every
week, entitling Kazmi to Rs 12,500 per week or Rs 50,000 per
month as fees for defending Kasab, officials sources said.

As per the law, if an accused is unable to find a lawyer
the court appoints one from state's legal aid cell. The court
appointed advocate is paid a paltry sum of Rs 900 for the
entire case. Therefore, very few come forward to represent an
accused.

However, looking into the sensitive nature of this case,
a special court has appointed Kazmi to defend Kasab and
requested Maharashtra government to pay him a reasonable
amount as remuneration.

Judge M L Tahaliyani had clarified in his order that the
remuneration to Kasab's lawyer will be decided by state as a
special case and it will not serve as precedent for others to
follow.

Accordingly, the special court sent his recommendation
(about appointing Kazmi as defence lawyer for Kasab) to
principal secretary to state government who in turn forwarded
the proposal to law and judiciary department.

The department has approved Rs 2,500 remuneration per day
for Kazmi, the sources said.

Confirming the development Kazmi said, "A government
notification was issued a few days back and I have received a
copy of it."

About 35 witnesses have been examined so far in the case,
trial for which is being carried on a day-to-day basis in a
special court. PTI SVS
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