Aseemanand says no to ‘saffron’ group lawyers

“Though some lawyers did approach Aseemanand,he declined and only said that he would request a government- appointed lawyer when the need arises,” Ranawat said.

A senior lawyer associated with the RSS who did not want to be named confirmed that they have offered to defend Aseemanand. “We approached him,asking whether he would like to be represented… but he barely gave it a thought,” the lawyer said.

Aseemanand’s decision has left lawyers defending the other accused in the Ajmer case wondering whether he has turned approver for the ATS. “It has many thinking whether he has turned approver for the state,” the lawyer added.

Some advocates,however,believe that Aseemanand refused the services because he can’t afford his own lawyer.

“Aseemanand claims to have little or no money to pay for a lawyer which is why he has requested for a government counsel,” said a senior advocate in Ajmer.