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India judge removes Mumbai terror attack defense lawyer

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] A judge in India on Wednesday removed the defense lawyer from the trial of an accused gunman in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, citing a conflict of interest. Judge M.L. Tahiliyani said Anjali Waghmare could not represent Ajmal Kasab in the special court trial because she had agreed to represent a victim of the attacks in a civil case. Waghmare denied any "professional misconduct," saying that she had met with a victim but had not committed to representing him. Kasab, who faces 12 charges including murder and waging war against India, asked for a lawyer from his native Pakistan. Tahiliyana said Kasab's new lawyer must be from India, but that the Pakistani government could help make the selection. Kasab first appeared before Tahiliyani last month via video. In February, Pakistan officials conceded that the attacks were partially planned in their country. Pakistan also stated that the perpetrators traveled by ship from southern Pakistan to Mumbai, where they launched the attack from inflatable boats using outboard engines purchased in Karachi, Pakistan. One scholar suggested that an international tribunal be formed to prosecute persons involved in Mumbai attacks in order to avoid further complications to the already unstable relationship between Pakistan and India. The attacks in Mumbai, which claimed at least 170 lives, were carried out at ten locations across the city including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on April 15, 2009 (boomark / email).