Anjali Waghmare to continue as Kasab's lawyer

Advocate Anjali Waghmare, who was appointed by a special court to represent 26/11 lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, has announced today that she will continue to represent him. She has been provided with Z-category security after her house in Mumbai was attacked by Shiv Sena activists.

A day after seeking time to consider appearing in the 26/11 attacks trial, advocate Anjali Waghmare on Wednesday informed a special court that she was willing to represent arrested terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab.

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Waghmare had on Tuesday asked the court for a day to think over whether she wanted to represent Kasab following protests by Shiv Sena activists outside her residence in Worli after she was appointed defence counsel by the special court.

She had also given a letter to Sena activists on Monday apologising for taking up the representation of Kasab and said she would withdraw from the case.

Special judge M L Tahiliyani on Wednesday asked Waghmare if she had any problem with continuing as defence counsel for Kasab, a resident of Faridkot in Pakistan.

"No, I will continue with the case," Waghmare said.

The court then appointed advocate K P Pawar, also an advocate from the Maharashtra Legal Services Authority, to assist her in the case.

Judge Tahiliyani said that adequate security had been provided for Waghmare, who along with Pawar, will appear for Kasab for the trial which is scheduled to begin on April 6.

Following her appearance in court, Waghmare said she was willing to appear in the trial as long as she was provided adequate security.