Terror case veterans will be Kasab voice in High Court

During the 26/11 trial,too,two lawyers had been appointed for Kasab.

Member secretary of the authority K K Sonawane said,“The two were shortlisted by our executive chairman Justice J N Patel from a list of senior lawyers. Their consents were sought and both agreed,so they will be paid legal fees on par with remuneration given to public prosecutors of the state appearing in death sentence confirmation matters.”

The authority has 36 lawyers on its panel and a few had been shortlisted based on their professional experience and political backgrounds. “There were some lawyers who did not want to take up the case. Finally the panel selected these two lawyers,” Sonawane said.

The focus was on legal experience to ensure a fair appeal. Another factor taken into account,sources said,was how capable the lawyers were likely to be in winning Kasab’s confidence. During the 26/11 trial,Kasab hardly spoke to K P Pawar,appointed his main lawyer after the sacking of Abbas Kazmi. “Due thought has been given to all possible sides to ensure that a fair legal process follows,” Sonawane said.

The two lawyers will now take at least a month to file the appeal for Kasab after going through the trial court papers,evidence,chargesheet and judgment. The Arthur Road prison authorities have been directed to give access to Kasab and interact with him.

“It will take us at least a month to file the appeal after going through the voluminous records and case papers. But now that the case has been handed over to me,I will concentrate only on it,” Solkar said. And Shah said,“I have handled other important cases previously but this is surely a big case for me and I will try to put in my best.”

Amin Solkar,53
* Experience of 25 years includes representing accused in 2007 train blasts,Indian Mujahideen suspects and 2006 Malegaon blasts
* Belongs to a family of lawyers: father Haroon Solkar was a government pleader for 26 years,younger brother Mubin too takes up terror cases.
* Lives in Mazgaon,prays five times a day
* Career high is getting a death sentence reduced to life This is one of the biggest cases of my life. A large number of persons will be watching our every move… extra pressure on us. Inshallah,I will try my level best but ultimately it is up to the court. My role is limited to working over what has already been recorded at the time of evidence recording

Farhana Shah,44
* 19 yrs’ experience. Represented Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 blasts case,first woman lawyer in that trial and also in the remand stage of 7/11 blasts case. Also represented Indian Mujahideen suspects.
* Married to a doctor,two children; lives on Grant Road
* Mostly a trial court lawyer. In Supreme Court,has challenged the death sentence to some 1993 blast convicts. In High Court,so far argued only applications for furlough and parole.

I am a professional and will be working like one,be it Kasab or any other case I always do what is required in the interest of justice and what could benefit my client legally

Road ahead
* At least a month to draft and file appeal for Kasab,sentenced to death on some charges and life on others
* Prosecution still preparing appeal against acquittal of Indians Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed,charged with involvement in the conspiracy and making target maps for attackers. That too will take a month,a police officer said
* Trial court has to send judgment for confirmation,papers still being prepared
* As a high-risk prisoner,Kasab has to be present during confirmation in High Court. That will be a security concern,and the arrangements could delay the hearing