Ajmal Amir Kasab Trial: Abbas Kazmi threatens to quit

In an interesting twist to the proceedings of the trial of the 26/11 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, Abbas Kazmi, defence lawyer for the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, today sought the designated court to withdraw him from the case, stating he cannot work under pressure.

Kazmi’s statement came soon after designated court Judge M L Tahiliyani pulled him up while he was cross-examining panch Sashikant Pawar, who after watching the terror attacks at Girgaum Chowpatty on television, had gone near the spot along with co-panch Mahendra Sable.

When Kazmi asked Pawar about his age, the latter said 31, however, the defence lawyer tried to cross-examine him asking that then how he had earlier mentioned his age as 23.

This irritated Judge Tahiliyani, who asked Kazmi to quit if he did not intend to co-operate with the court.

Lazmi in response, told the judge ‘I can’t work under pressure’.

Meanwhile, two more witnesses, both medical officers, deposed before the court and identified the lone captured Pakistani terrorist.

Dr Yogita Delkar, chief medical officer of Nair hospital, told before the Judge that police had brought two persons to the hospital at around 0100 hours on November 27.

While one (Abu Ismail) was declared brought dead by the trauma ward, the other (Kasab) was referred to the casualty for treatment.

When the Judge asked her whether she would be able to identify the accused, Dr Delkar replied affirmatively and pointed towards Kasab, who was sitting in a dock in the court.

Dr Kelkar, further replying to a query of special public prosecutor Nikam, said she was the one who made an entry of the accused terrorists in the casualty register book.

Another witness, Dr Venkat Ramamurthy also identified Kasab and said he had attended on the accused.

The accused had sustained five bullet injuries and was conscious annd well-oriented, Dr Ramamurthy said.

Replying to another query that whether a person, who had sustained similar injuries can operate an AK-47 rifle, the doctor replied with a yes, adding Kasab was discharged from the hospital at around 0930 hours that day.