Kasab's lawyer yet to receive legal fees

Abbas Kazmi, appointed by a special court in Mumbai to defend Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 terror attack case at the cost of the state, is yet to receive his legal fees since April.

Abbas Kazmi, appointed by a special court in Mumbai to defend Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 terror attack case at the cost of the state, is yet to receive his legal fees since April.

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Kazmi said he has not received fees and his request to the accounts department of the Sessions Court for legal remuneration is yet to be considered despite many reminders.

Although the officer concerned has assured Kazmi of prompt payment, he is yet to receive the fees. In keeping with the rules, the court has already submitted attendance sheet of Kazmi from April till date, the lawyer said.

"I have been incurring expenses on making photostat copies of court documents from my pocket money. My other sources of income have dried up because I am fully occupied with this case and have been refusing other cases."

Kazmi was appointed on April 16 to defend Kasab after the court removed Anjali Waghmare of the state legal aid panel on grounds of professional misconduct. On Special Judge ML Tahaliyani's recommendation, Maharashtra Government had issued a notification that said Kazmi would be paid Rs 2,500 a day.

The 26/11 case is being heard on Monday through Friday every week and Kazmi is entitled to Rs 50,000 for 20 days in a month. The procedure for getting legal remuneration from the state is to submit monthly attendance sheet of the advocate. This has been complied with, said Kazmi.