Lawyers refuse to take up terrorist's case

Several criminal lawyers in Mumbai have refused to take up the case of Mohammad Ajmal Amin Iman alias Kasab, the sole man arrested in connection with last week's terrorist carnage here, citing ethical constraints.

A resolution was passed unanimously by the Bombay Metropolitan Magistrate Court's Bar Association, which has more than 1,000 members, saying that none of its members will defend any of the accused of the terror attacks.

Kasab was arrested on November 26, the day the terrorists struck at different locations in Mumbai.

Senior criminal lawyer Majeed Memon said, "There are certain ethical restrains which may stop a conscientious lawyer from defending certain accused persons. When a lawyer is aware that the accused was in fact caught red handed committing an extremely serious offence, there is no question of us appearing in this case."

Advocate Mubin Solkar, appearing for accused in the 7/11 Mumbai serial train blasts case and the recent Indian Mujahideen case, agreed with Memon and said, "Although it is unconstitutional to refuse legal aid to any accused, we have seen with our own eyes the arrested terrorist shooting at innocent people. Aiding him means burning our own fingers."

Criminal lawyer Shahid Azmi pointed out that no bar association can pass such a resolution asking lawyers not to take up a particular case and that it is up to the sole discretion of the lawyer whether or not to defend an accused.