26/11: An assistant for Nikam in HC soon

“A proposal was received from the prosecution for Shinde’s appointment to help Nikam with the confirmation process in the High Court. The matter has been been discussed and the formalities are being completed,” said a source.

Sources said one of the reasons for choosing Shinde was that he being a public prosecutor in the High Court would be in a position to keep daily track of the case and keep Nikam up to date with developments.

When contacted by Newsline,Shinde said,“If I am being appointed public prosecutor in the case,I will file an appeal, under the supervision of Nikam,against the acquittal of co-accused Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed. I will try to assist him to the best of my ability.”

The HC has already appointed advocate Amin Solkar as Kasab’s defence lawyer,with advocate Farhana Shah to assist him.

Shinde,who hails from Satara district,has handled several cases both civil and criminal. Prior to his appointment at the Bombay High Court,he practised at the Mumbai Metropolitan Magistrate and Sessions courts. In 2001,he was appointed additional government pleader and additional public prosecutor for the state of Maharashtra,and additional public prosecutor for the Union of India in 2003. During this stint,he handled cases for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as well.