26/11 trial: Kasab's lawyer tenders unconditional apology

Mumbai, Nov 27 (PTI) The Mumbai attack trial court judge
on Friday decided against sacking the lawyer for Pakistani
gunman Ajmal Kasab after he tendered an unconditional apology
for his controversial utterances, avoiding possible delays in
the trial.

Judge M L Tahaliyani accepted Abbas Kazmi's apology for
his remark during angry courtroom exchanges Thursday that he
did not care about affidavits of witnesses filed by the
prosecution. Kazmi was appointed as Kasab's Defence lawyer by
the court for the trial which began in March this year.
The judge also withdrew his observation that Kazmi was a
liar.
The judge had Thursday called Kazmi a liar after he
denied that special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had stated
in his opening address on May 8 that he would file affidavits
of witnesses.
Kazmi on Friday said, "This is a historic trial and I
have done my best to defend the accused. What happened
yesterday was in the heat of the moment and I tender an
unconditional apology."
The judge said that he was also withdrawing his remarks
about Kazmi, as he wanted the issue to be resolved amicably.
Kazmi offered apology after Nikam intervened and sought
time from the court to resolve the issue.
The judge later adjourned proceedings for 40 minutes
following which Kazmi decided to apologise.
Thursday, he observed, "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
co-operate in the interest of justice."(MORE) PTI SVS
SKT


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