Determined to defend Kasab,even without his support

Are you defending him without his support?
Yes,Kasab does not talk to me as he used to when I took up his case. I have been appointed by the court to provide a fair trial to him and I am doing my duty as a lawyer. As it is my appointment was a second choice as his preference was for a Pakistani lawyer,which is not possible. So that grievance may be still there.

He used to speak to you animatedly in court. What stopped that?
My meetings with him are never alone; many of my requests to the court for private meetings have failed. A lawyer has the right to meet his client alone but since Kasab as claimed by the police is a high-risk prisoner,they are close when I speak to him. Even inside his cell,Kasab has been influenced in a different way. That is the reason I wanted to quit a couple of times but the court asked me to carry on.

In what way is he being influenced inside jail?
It has come on record during his guilt plea statement that jail officials told him about media reports of Pakistan having accepted him as a Pakistani,which was why he made the statement. Before making the statement he did not take my assistance. This speaks a lot. I won’t elaborate further on this.

What changes do you see in Kasab over the months?
After his admission of guilt,Kasab has given up. I will say he has lost interest and doesn’t mind any outcome. Earlier he used to smile and joke with everyone around. But now he comes and sleeps in the dock.

How has the prosecution placed the evidence,and will you seek a lower punishment on grounds of age and his confession?
My client is innocent,he deserves nothing but an acquittal. As for the evidence I cannot comment; the case is sub-judice.

But the entire world saw Kasab firing at CST…
I am his lawyer and my job is to defend my client,which I am doing in full earnest. It is for the state to prosecute him. I have not yet formulated my strategy but will highlight loopholes in the evidence.

Of late there have been complaints by Kasab against jail staff.
Well he may have complaints but these have to be supported by medical proof,which was not there. So all of them fell flat.

Did you face any problems for taking up the case?
Yes,I did. A club of which I am a trustee wanted me removed,but I was clear about my duty as a lawyer: showing the world that Kasab will still be given a free and fair trial.

Would you defend Kasab in higher courts also?
If the state wants me to,I will of course do it.