Kasab is bored, needs a new lawyer

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

Ajmal Kasab's court case seems to be better than the scripts of most of the Bollywood thrillers we are coming across these days. Even the ace Bollywood director Mahmohan Desai would have bowed down to the twists and turns in the case. As the nation observed the first anniversary of the brutal 26/11 killings in Mumbai there was a question looming around as to why has a verdict not been delivered in Kasab's case? Isn't our judicial system strong enough to nail a terrorists?

In another of those Bollywood like twists Abbas Kazmi the defence lawyer representing the 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab has been sacked. The reason cited by the judge is 'non-cooperation', wonder what that means in a open and shut case? This after Kazmi had said that he did not care about affidavits of witnesses filed by the prosecution. Now a hardcore terrorist's lawyer seems to have learnt a trait from his world renowned client.

Now there will be a huge buzz as to who the next lawyer would be in this case. What will follow is pretty much known, court will ask for some lawyers to take up the case. After much reluctance a name or two will come up following which political parties like the Shiv Sena and the MNS will stone the house of these lawyers forcing them to call it quits. The court will then be forced to appoint a lawyer on their own for a few more episodes. Wonder if Kasab is getting bored with all this?

Even if Kasab gets a death sentence, it will be challenged in the Supreme Court which will mean a few more anniversaries will pass by causing agony to the families of the martyrs and victims and regular embarrassment to Pakistan! Supreme Court will upheld the judgement which will then land up in President's court for mercy petition much like in the case of Mohammad Afzal Guru and Nalini. Rashtrapati Bhavan will have one more case to sit on hoping for IC 814 like hijack to relieve them of some pressure.

The question that the Aam Aadmi (Mango People) ask is why can't we have justice delivered? Why should we still have faith in the criminal justice system of the country? US terminated Saddam Hussain as soon as a single death sentence was pronounced upon him. All the other cases on him are being tried in absentia. It is understandable that India's 'peace loving attitude' doesn't allow it to take on terrorist in foreign soil but it should definitely allow us to deliver a strong verdict in a case like 26/11. Is this the rule of the law and democracy that we need to be proud of?