Under the law every accused in a court case is entitled to a lawyer for his defence. In the case of Ajmal Ameer Kasab, accused in the Mumbai terror of 26/11, the revulsion over the heinous crime was such that no lawyer was prepared to defend him. Public opinion was strongly against providing any legal assistance to Kasab because his crime was considered indefensible. Most people want Kasab to be executed at the earliest. The eminent criminal lawyer, Mr Ram Jethmalani, tried to assuage public anger by stating that the law made incumbent that Kasab be provided a lawyer. He went on to add that “even a hundred Ram Jethmalanis cannot save Kasab from the death penalty”.

Recently it was reported that one Delhi lawyer, Mr MS Khan, is likely to defend Kasab. Defending the accused does not necessarily imply that he be proved innocent. The lawyer can also plead for a lighter sentence for him. When the evidence is so overwhelming against Kasab, how can any defence be provided? There is one »» More

Official police agencies have claimed categorically that Monday’s bomb blasts in Assam were carried out by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). The blasts coincided with Home Minister Chidambaram’s visit to Guwahati. They occurred along the route he was to take. They heralded the New Year. They occurred on the day when the government’s new anti-terror law went into operation. Did the timing contain a message? If so, from whom? Pakistan is reputed to guide the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Toyba. Does any foreign power influence ULFA?
Consider the events immediately preceding the Assam blasts. China’s Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei visited Pakistan to advise the President, the Prime Minister and the Army Chief to talk peace with India. All three made conciliatory statements. The Chinese dignitary then telephoned Foreign Minster Pranab Mukherkjee from Islamabad advising him to reciprocate. He indicated willingness to visit India and facilitate the process.
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