Anjali Waghmare decides to represent Qasab

"I am defending Ajmal Qasab in the interest of the country," said Anjali Waghmare (40), the lawyer from the state legal aid cell who was appointed by the Special Court to defend Ajmal Qasab.

After initial hiccup where she refused to take up the case, now that the state government has provided her with much-needed security, she has accepted it.

Today at 1.30 pm the lawyer decided to accept the challenge. "My family has supported me emotionally although my life is under threat. I am doing this with sole interest of providing justice to the victims," added Waghmare.

She accepted that she was taken aback after the attack even though her husband is a police officer.

Meanwhile, she will be meeting Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Ghafoor on the security issue. The police have assured to provide her with Z category security, which is also being provided to Public Prosecutor of the Qasab case, Ujjwal Nikam.

She, however, refused to divulge information on the number of policemen who will be protecting her.

Now, the Special Court will be in a position to start the case from April 6, where Nikam would begin with providing necessary documents and evidences against Qasab before the Court.

What others said
Majeed Menon, Senior Advocate: Waghmare has showed courage and mustered guts to take up the case.

Satish Maneshinde, Senior Advocate: She has taken up the challenge despite protests. Unless the trial completes, people who have died on
26/11 wouldn't get justice.

Ujjwal Nikam, Public Prosecutor: She is not a scapegoat and has taken to decision to go ahead on her own. The Police Commissioner and Joint Commissioner have ensured that she will be given protection. The case will move forward and we would like to have a fair trial.

Bharat Kumar Raut, Shiv Sena: The attack was not the hand of Shiv Sainiks. It was a public outburst. We will not intervene in her work but don't take guarantee for others.