26/11 trial: Kasab's lawyer sacked for non-cooperation

Mumbai, Nov 30(ANI): A special court, conducting the trial of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, on Monday sacked the lone surviving gunman of the Mumbai attacks Ajmal Kasab's lawyer Abbas Kazmi citing non-cooperation by him.

Addressing the media in Mumbai, public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that the court was constrained to remove Kazmi, as he did not submit to court's order.

"Kazmi did not submit to the court's order. So, the court has ultimately asked him, whether he would like to withdraw from the case or he would like to assist the court or whether the court should take further action in the matter. Kazmi refused to withdraw from the case, and did not cooperate. The court, as a result, was constrained to cancel his appointment," Nikam said.

Meanwhile, Advocate K. P. Pawar has been appointed as the new lawyer for Kasab, who faces 86 charges, including waging war on India and murder.

Judge M.L. Tahilyani has ordered Kazmi to hand over all the documents of the case to Pawar. The court has also asked Pawar to choose a lawyer to assist him.

The attacks, which began on November 26, 2008 and lasted nearly three days, left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen. (ANI)