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Mumbai suspect's lawyer is sacked Mumbai suspect's lawyer is sacked
(about 1 hour later)
The trial court in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) has removed the main lawyer for the leading suspect in last November's deadly attacks in the city.The trial court in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) has removed the main lawyer for the leading suspect in last November's deadly attacks in the city.
The judge said Abbas Kazmi was "not co-operating" with the court and was trying to delay proceedings.The judge said Abbas Kazmi was "not co-operating" with the court and was trying to delay proceedings.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, who is a Pakistani, faces 86 charges, including waging war on India and murder.Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, who is a Pakistani, faces 86 charges, including waging war on India and murder.
The attacks, which began on 26 November 2008 and lasted nearly three days, left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen.The attacks, which began on 26 November 2008 and lasted nearly three days, left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen.
'Wrong signal''Wrong signal'
The major disagreement appears to be over the fact that the court wants Mr Kazmi to choose 71 of the total 340 witnesses for cross-examination.
But the defence lawyer had insisted on talking to all 340 witnesses, a court statement said.
"Kazmi is not co-operating with the court in the interest of justice. He is trying to drag the trial and is unnecessarily consuming the time of the court," the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Judge ML Tahilyani as saying."Kazmi is not co-operating with the court in the interest of justice. He is trying to drag the trial and is unnecessarily consuming the time of the court," the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Judge ML Tahilyani as saying.
The Taj Mahal Palace hotel was among the gunmen's targets
"It appears that Kazmi has developed a feeling that he has become indispensable and without him the trial cannot go on. He has developed a feeling that because of his appointment as Qasab's lawyer, the court is helpless without him," he added."It appears that Kazmi has developed a feeling that he has become indispensable and without him the trial cannot go on. He has developed a feeling that because of his appointment as Qasab's lawyer, the court is helpless without him," he added.
"This gives out a wrong signal to everyone and it is high time that either Kazmi withdraws from the case himself or the court terminates his appointment.""This gives out a wrong signal to everyone and it is high time that either Kazmi withdraws from the case himself or the court terminates his appointment."
Judge Tahilyani also ordered Mr Kazmi to hand over all the documents of the case to advocate KP Pawar, who is assisting him in the case.Judge Tahilyani also ordered Mr Kazmi to hand over all the documents of the case to advocate KP Pawar, who is assisting him in the case.
The BBC's Prachi Pinglay in Mumbai says the court is likely to appoint Mr Pawar to replace Mr Kazmi.
Mr Kazmi, a top criminal lawyer from Mumbai, was appointed in April to represent Mr Qasab after the first lawyer was abruptly sacked.Mr Kazmi, a top criminal lawyer from Mumbai, was appointed in April to represent Mr Qasab after the first lawyer was abruptly sacked.
Mr Kazmi replaced Anjali Waghmare, who was dismissed for "professional misconduct". He replaced Anjali Waghmare, who was dismissed for "professional misconduct".
She was alleged to have also signed to represent an attack victim. MAIN QASAB CHARGES Waging war on IndiaMurderConspiracy to murderDestabilising the governmentKidnapRobberySmuggling and possessing illegal arms and explosives
She was alleged to have also agreed to represent an attack victim.
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was arrested on the first day of the attacks and has been in Indian custody ever since.
He originally denied the charges against him but in July, in a dramatic outburst in court, he admitted his role and to be hanged.
Last Thursday, ceremonies were held in Mumbai to mark the first anniversary of the devastating attacks.
On Wednesday, a court in Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks, including the suspected mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who is alleged to head the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
After initial denials, Islamabad acknowledged that Mr Qasab was a Pakistani and admitted the attacks were partially planned on its territory.
The attacks soured relations between India and Pakistan and Delhi suspended peace talks with Islamabad.