Ajmal Amir Kasab should get lawyer for "fair trial", says Chief Justice of India

Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Wednesday said Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested in the Mumbai attacks, should get a lawyer to defend himself so that "there is a fair trial".

"I don't think he will go undefended. But even for helping the court for a proper trial assistance of a lawyer is required. What is the role he has played will come to light if there is a fair trial. Somebody will have to defend. It shall not be one way traffic," he told a private news channel.

Several lawyer bodies have refused to take up Ajmal's case. The opposition Shiv Sena in Maharashtra too has threatened lawyers against defending him in court. Balakrishnan also favoured a strong anti-terror law but added that it must also safeguard human rights.

Asked whether he favoured a strong anti-terror law in the country in the wake of the November 26, he said "Of course we should have strong laws."

"But it should take care of human values providing basic human values to the accused. Strict law is good. I am in favour of it. But how the law should be it is for Parliament to discuss and deliberate. People of the country should feel safe to live in the country," the Chief Justice said.