Waghmare asks for a day to decide on representing Qasab

Anjali Waghmare who had been appointed as Ajaml Qasab's lawyer on Monday has said that she needs another day to decide if she wants to continue as Qasab's lawyer.

She also said that more than 300 people had come to protest after she took up Qasab's case and there is a lot of pressure on her.

There were reports earlier that she was likely to be replaced after sources told NDTV that she was also representing a victim and witness in the 26/11 case and this might be a direct conflict of interest.

The victim that Anjali is representing is Harishchandra Shrivardhankar, a 57-year-old government employee, who had been attacked by Qasab and Ismail at the Cama Hospital on 26/11.

His throat was slit by Ismail and he was also shot. The government gave him a compensation of Rs 50,000 which he claimed is insufficient. He was seeking legal advice from Anjali Waghmare.

Earlier, Shiv Sainiks who targetted Qasab's lawyer Anjali Waghmare claimed that she has pulled out of the case but the Maharashtra home minister denied it.

Meanwhile, nine Shiv Sainiks have been arrested for attacking Waghmare's house in Mumbai on Monday night.

Waghmare was appointed the lawyer of 26/11 terrorist, Ajmal Qasab on Monday. She was unhurt in the attack and police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the mob.

"People from this area have laid down their lives fighting terrorists and she despite hailing from this region has taken up defense case of Qasab. This infuriated people," said Ajay Chaudhari, member, Shiv Sena.

But the big question is, why was Anjali Waghmare not provided security when the government knew that she could be targetted.

The Home Minister of Maharashtra has admitted that the government has decided to give her security after the attack on her house.