From the Trial Room

Kasab down with flu,court asks for report
Ajmal Kasab has been suffering from flu for the past several days and Arthur Road Jail officials failed to produce him in the 26/11 trial court Thursday. Of late,Kasab has gone to the air-conditioned courtroom in a sweater,walking slowly and frequently resting his head on the dock,eyes shut. The judge has asked jail authorities for a detailed report Friday on tests conducted and treatment given. An official said jail doctors have conducted several tests including blood and urine and are in consultation with senior government doctors. Jail superintendent Rajendra Dhamne did not wish to comment till the report is filed. The prosecution on Thursday examined four doctors who had conducted the post-mortem on 26/11 victims.

Sacked,Kazmi wants action against judge
Lawyer Abbas Kazmi on Thursday moved bar associations where he is a member,seeking action against judge ML Tahaliyani who had sacked him as Ajmal Kasab’s counsel on charges of non-cooperation and purposely delaying the trial. “The trial court has no power to remove a defence lawyer,” Kazmi wrote to Appellate Advocate Association of Western India,Bombay Bar Association,Original Side,and Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa and Bombay City Civil and Sessions court Bar Association. He alleged Kasab was not consulted before the removal and said the judge could have rejected his objections instead of removing him. The dismissal,Kazmi said,sends a message that a lawyer’s continuance in the case depends on the court’s fancy,and also affects Kasab’s right to fair trial.

Bulletproof jackets: state told to reply
The High Court has directed the government to reply on allegations that the purchase of substandard bulletproof jackets had led to the death of top policemen during the 26/11 attacks. Activist Santosh Daundkar had filed a PIL after his RTI query allegedly revealed the violation of 16 rules during the purchase; he adds a file with evidence against public servants has been lost. A division bench of Justice J N Patel and Justice Amjad Sayed is hearing the case. When the petitioner’s lawyer said the then Chief Minister had given consent for the purchase,Justice Patel remarked the CM can be provided a jacket and his security can be withdrawn.

Accusing the government of trying to shield those responsible,the petitioner has sought a probe by an independent panel or the CBI,a direction that such jackets be tested by the DRDO,the Army or honest officers,and removal of the substandard jackets.