'Waghmare has not withdrawn from Kasab's case'

Mumbai, Mar. 31 (ANI): Maharashtra's Interior Minister Jayant Patil has rejected reports that Advocate Anjali Waghmare, who is defending arrested terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab in Mumbai terror trial, has withdrawn from the case following an attack on her residence by Shiv Sena activists on Monday.

"This mob went to her house, they insisted that she should not fight the case for Kasab. She succumbed to the pressure and she has given something in writing. But today, I was given to understand by my police officers who are in touch with her that she is prepared to fight the case of Ajmal Kasab," said Patil.

Earlier, Waghmare was quoted, as saying: "Owing to public sentiment, I withdraw from the Kasab case."

On Monday night, over a hundred Shiv Sena activists pelted stones at her Warli Camp residence, but Waghmare, 40, remained unhurt.

Shiv Sena members had claimed that Waghmare had given a paper stating her withdrawal from the case.

"After hearing that wife of a police officer is fighting case for a militant, Kasab so public here took to streets and raised slogans against Anjali Waghmare. She herself realised her mistake and gave us a paper inscribing her withdrawal from the case," said Ajay Chauhan, Shiv Sainik.

Subsequently, nine Shiv Sena activists were held for attacking her residence.

"Nine Sena workers (including a corporator) were held last night for unlawful assembly and house tresspass. They were holding protest outside Waghmare's residence in Worli Police Camp," senior police inspector B V Worlikar said.

The arrested Shiv Sainiks will be produced before a magistrate in the afternoon, Worlikar added.

During her appointment as Kasab's lawyer by the special court, Waghmare had requested security arrangement fearing such attacks. (ANI)