Not indefensible kasab

No lawyer wants to defend Ajmal Amir Kasab. I understand the sentiment: after all, he was captured on film bringing the city to its knees. But I still believe that principle and commonsense require that Kasab be defended. Even the most reviled of defendants must receive legal representation because criminal defence, as an ideal, is more about defending liberty, fairness and the rule of law, and less about defending the actions of individual defendants. That "liberal" claim is valid even in times like these; and Kasab must, like any other criminal defendant, receive a vigorous defence. But many "conservatives", and others who believe in a tougher, more "outcome-oriented" approach, may be unconvinced.

I would reply to that here with not a "liberal" argument but a "conservative" one. I argue that like "liberals", "conservatives" should want - if for different reasons -Ajmal Kasab to be defended by the best criminal lawyers in the land. But according to those who oppose representation for Kasab, wily defence lawyers will conjure up mythical defences that will make it hard to get a quick and clean trial (and presumably, conviction) in what otherwise appears to be an open-and-shut case. And if no lawyer defends him, the legally inept Kasab will defend himself and get himself convicted. Simple, right? Not so. In fact, in a case as factually poor as his, Kasab's defence lawyers are (ironically) the ones most likely to ensure that his trial does not descend into an unpredictable or hurtful drama.

Despite what defence lawyers like to claim, they are more often as good or as bad as their client's cases. The reason is simple: like professional chess, the criminal defence process consists of rehearsed and often predictable lines of enquiry, attack and counterattack. But it is very different when defendants defend themselves (as so-called pro se defendants) because their lack of formal legal training makes them an unpredictable and tenacious lot - a shock to the outcome-oriented.

Consider Exhibit A: The trial of Hermann Goring (1946). At the Nuremberg trials, Hermann Goring's guilt was thought to be indubitable but as a pro se defendant, he ran circles around the chief prosecutor Justice Robert Jackson. Justice Jackson was prepared for combat but only for the style and technique of a regular defence lawyer and was surprised by Goring's legal asymmetric warfare. And if like in Goring's trial, history records that Ajmal Kasab was convicted despite, rather than because of the prosecution, that will be a national embarrassment.

It is of course unlikely that Kasab is as brilliant as Goring but we'll never know till it's too late. To be sure, though, let's consider a more realistic scenario: Ajmal Kasab doesn't adopt Goring's unconventional but sophisticated defence and instead adopts a crude but effective strategy of disruption. He will not have to look far for a perfect template. Consider Exhibit B: The trial of Zacarias Moussaoui (2001-2006). Moussaoui was the so-called "20th hijacker", the man who nearly made it onto the hijacked airplanes during the 9/11 attacks. At his trial in the United States, Moussaoui refused defence counsel, allowing him to brazenly disrupt proceedings by shouting in court, making irrelevant motions and filing bizarre pleadings, including the memorably titled "No Pig Man Role in the Moussaoui Deliverance Scenario". He was convicted but not before he had prolonged his trial for five painful years and acutely embarrassed the court, the prosecution and ultimately the United States. It had been a trial that had pleased no one, except Moussaoui and his jihadi brethren.

Would it have happened had Moussaoui been professionally defended? Unlikely. A defence lawyer who contemplates disrupting or acquiescing in the disruption of a trial faces the loss of his reputation, his law licence and even the prospect of being sent to prison. Defendants like Ajmal Kasab, facing the death penalty and with reputations as valuable as mud, are unlikely to be so deterred. In fact, there is no better way for Kasab to go out in a blaze of jihadi glory than for him to use his high-profile trial as a propaganda vehicle to spew venom against India for alleged atrocities in Kashmir.Â

Of course none of these terrible scenarios need happen. But if on the other hand, Kasab decides to fight and is even half as effective as Moussaoui or Goring, every "conservative" will rue not giving him a defence lawyer. At the other end of the ideological spectrum, "liberals" may be concerned that I am advocating the silent (and grossly unethical) subversion of a criminal defendant's case. Far from it. I sincerely believe that all are entitled to a vigorous, professional and genuine defence. But my point is that giving defendants like Ajmal Kasab a proper defence, is also a rational choice for the those who want a quick and drama-free trial. Â

CPI(M) identifying constituencies

HYDERABAD: After formalising its tie-up with the Communist Party of India and the Telugu Desam, the CPI (Marxist) has commenced the exercise for identifying the constituencies from where it will field candidates in next elections.The two-day meeting of CPI(M) State committee which commenced here on Saturday wanted the district leaders to furnish the list of the constituencies where the party had considerable presence. Once the list was prepared, the leaders would discuss it with the CPI and the TDP before making public the constituencies from where the candidates would be fielded. State secretary B.V. Raghavulu, who presented a report on the political situation in the State, told reporters that the party had gained significant presence in several constituencies following the agitations it launched over the past four years. However, a final decision on number of seats would be taken once there was clarity on whether it would be a three or four-party alliance.Earlier, CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat, who chaired the State committee meeting, explained to the participants the efforts launched for the formation of an alternative at the national level in association with the CPI.

khasheer fifth phase polling

PULWAMA: Polling in the fifth phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections was marred by the killing of a youth in police firing as anti-poll protests rocked Quil and other areas in Pulwama district. But all segments in Pulwama and Shopian districts witnessed moderate to brisk polling. It was 48 per cent in two segments in Shopian and 47 per cent in four constituencies in Pulwama. Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Masaud Samoon said 66 per cent turnout was recorded in Jammu’s Kathua district, where elections were held in five segments. The overall percentage in Saturday’s exercise was put at 57. Braving the chill weather, a large number of people turned up at booths in the Wachi, Shopian, Pulwama, Rajpora, Tral and Pampore segments despite the boycott call given by separatists. But the situation took an ugly turn at Quil when police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel allegedly forced people to come out and vote, and ransacked their houses. This evoked resentment among the people, who gathered in large numbers and shouted anti-election slogans. The police and CRPF tried to disperse them but they were stoned. They later opened fire, in which at least four people were injured, of whom Muzaffar Ahmad, 21, died in hospital. Following this incident, the Quil area with over 3,000 voters witnessed a complete boycott. The people were angry as they restlessly waited for Muzaffar’s body to arrive from Srinagar. In the neighbouring villages, and also in Parigam and Karimabad, the election was boycotted.

However, later in the day, voters came out in good numbers at several places and the turnout picked up. Both Shopian and Pulwama districts are considered a stronghold of the People’s Democratic Party. Its president Mehbooba Mufti is contesting in Wachi. But in some areas many booths wore a deserted look as the boycott call evoked near-total response. Interestingly, the militancy-infested Tral town witnessed huge polling. Long queues were seen outside booths.Authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth polling. All roads leading to Pulwama were sealed to thwart marches by separatists. Senior separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have been put under house arrest, and Srinagar and other towns are under an undeclared curfew. Both leaders condemned the police firing on protesters.Mr. Samoon told journalists that a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the Quil incident. The Pulwama Deputy Commissioner was asked to give his report within 15 days.

happy days buyers

The buzz about vehicles being cheaper and affordable has definitely got the city’s attention like never before.With automobile giants announcing a price reduction on their vehicles, the good news is buyers can save up on their purchase. The automobile market is all set to move thanks to the Cenvat rate cut introduced by the government.The decision has traders smiling, as they say that there have been a lot of enquiries regarding the revised prices.While the move is being welcomed by everyone, one will have to wait and watch if the automobile market will manage to bounce back from the impact of recession.

babli gola

TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh CPI secretary K. Narayana, TRS MP B. Vinod Kumar, MPs, MLAs, senior leaders and hundreds of cadres from the three parties were arrested by the police here on Thursday when they defied prohibitory orders and marched towards Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office seeking his intervention in the Babli row with Maharashtra.Earlier, the leaders, along with cadres who came here by a special train from Hyderabad, staged a dharna at Jantar Mantar to urge the Centre to prevent Maharashtra from going ahead with the construction of the project and 11 other barrages across the Godavari.

chiru khammam

prajarajyam president chiranjeevi has comes in khammama on wednesday 3.30 pm. Thousands of youths lined up holding the party flags aloft all along the Khammam – Maripeda road to greet him.They hemmed round his vehicle at Madiripuram village leaving little space for the convoy to move on. It came to a halt near a roadside school building where he had his lunch along with his entourage around 5 p.m.The crowds, which gathered at many of the roadside villages, kept swelling till late in the evening. The PR chief, who had just completed his campaign in Warangal district, preferred no rest and resumed his yatra around 6 p.m addressing a massive roadside gathering.Elated by the rousing welcome accorded by the people at Pindiprolu, a strong hold of the CPI(ML New Democracy) and the CPI(M), he said he was overwhelmed by adoration and affection showered on him. Perhaps it was preserved for years for this occasion and “I feel to be fortunate”. And in return “I will try to live up to the expectations of the people as a man of all – ‘Andarivadini’.He said he came out to responding to the call of the people and would like be remain one among them as their servant.“I know those whom you have voted to power could not do much for you”. People have been left to their fate. There is scant regard for them. There is none to listen to their woes”.

That is why people felt the need of the Praja Rajyam, he asserted.“People wanted me because I knew no politics. I know only how to serve the people,” he said adding that the day was not far when all sections of the people would lead a happy life and live in a cheerful world. He said the only enemy of the Praja Rajyam, was corruption and the party would strive end this.As the rally reached Khammam town, the Nayabazar centre and Mayuri centre was packed to the full.

air show in hyd

The first-ever civilian air show in India got off to a cracking start here on Wednesday reflecting the optimism of the aviation and allied industries in spite of the downturn in airline operations.

The presence of who’s who in the global aviation industry and the top-in-line aircraft such as Boeing 777 – 300ER and Airbus 319 which were delivered to Air India captured the industry’s spirit. Top honchos of global aircraft majors such as Boeing, Airbus, EADS, Bombardier, Bell Helicopter and ATR rubbed shoulders with ministerial delegations from Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka in exploring business opportunities.

All those who spoke at the inaugural function as well as on the sidelines of ‘India Aviation 2008’, including Civil Aviation Secretary Madhavan Nambiar, expressed confidence that the sector would witness a revival.

The four-day mega air show was declared open by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel amid a breathtaking flypast by IAF’s Suryakirans and a variety of aircraft parked on the tarmac of the Begumpet airport.

Soon after the flypast, para-jumping and parasailing were performed. The hot balloon show did not take place due to unfavourable wind conditions.

Coinciding with the event, a theme pavilion depicting the birth and growth of Indian civil aviation was inaugurated.

Pulichintala

It was four years ago to the day that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy laid the foundation for K.L. Rao Sagar (Pulichintala Multipurpose Project) at Madipadu in Guntur district amid high expectations about completing the project on schedule, by September 2007. But as things stand today, it might be commissioned in December 2009.

The Srinivasa Engineering Company and CR18G, the joint venture company, could do no work in the first two years. Then, several points of clarification on the project and determining the number of sluice gates to be constructed put it far behind the schedule. Looking at the project on Wednesday, Project Superintendent Engineer S. Satyanarayana expressed hope that water can be definitely impounded in the coming season at 36.36 metres level of the dam amounting to more than 3 tmcft.

Due to the initial slow pace of work despite several measures taken up by the then Superintending Engineer Bapuji, only 30,000 cubic meters of concreting could be completed by the time the SE left the project. Now the total quantum of concreting completed with foundation level crossed, comes to 2.58 lakh cubic meters.

Currently, water is flowing over the concrete portion of the project and the earliest full-fledged work that can be taken up on all portions of the project will be from November 2008 and the extended deadline expires in December 2008. “Another year of time extension will be required if the contractors get on the job fast and expedite execution,” the Superintending Engineer told The Hindu on Wednesday.

Out of 10,000 metric tonnes of steel needed for the Radial Gates (sluice gates) only 3,000 metric tonnes had arrived and the main fin plates needed for the 18.5 m X 17 m main radial gates had to be brought and fabricated. Immediate necessity was eight numbers of reverse sluice gates and those have been fabricated.

About 1,000 cubic meters of concreting would be attempted from first week of November.

Actors Jayasudha join in congress

Actors Jayasudha and ‘Karunamayudu’ fame Vijaychander joined the Congress along with the former Telugu Desam MP, S. Ramamuni Reddy, here on Wednesday.

The three took the membership in the presence of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and APCC president D. Srinivas. Ms. Jayasudha said joining the Congress party was akin to taking admission to a reputed school.

telugu language

A Telugu language flag, developed by the State Official Languages Commission (SOLC) in pale pink with a picture of Poornaghatam, a bas-relief found in Amaravathi stupa in the middle, was unfurled in the ‘H’ Block of the Secretariat by Finance Minister K. Rosaiah on Wednesday.

An 18-line Telugu Language anthem, penned in praise of the beauty of the language, was sung on the occasion by its author Jillella Varaprasad, who hails from Markapur in Prakasam district. The flag-post lies close to the white granite replica of Poornaghatam installed at the main-gate of the Secretariat which was recently unveiled by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Historians say that the Poornaghatam bas-relief, dating back to first century AD, was presented to Amaravathi stupa by Vidhikudu, a leather worker.

They interpreted that Poornaghatam, a pot full with sheaves of crops and flowers hanging from its opening, symbolized bountifulness, liberty and equality. Mr. Rosaiah described the flag as yet another landmark achievement made by A.B.K. Prasad, SOLC Chairman, and said the flag and anthem must be used at all the functions relating to Telugu language and culture.

Mr. Prasad said an audio cassette of the Telugu Language Anthem rendered by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam would be released soon.

Will this Telugu Language Anthem clash with “Maa Telugu Thalli…” of Sanakarambati Sundaracharyulu, which has already been adopted by the government? Which one takes precedence? One has to wait and see.

krishna express accident

krishna express accident at warangal distoct on khajipet staege. Three tank wagons of a goods train got derailed near Kazipet junction between Ballarshah and Kazipet on Wednesday afternoon. However, there was no disruption of trains as there was double line between the Ballarshah and Kazipet. The derailment took place at 12.30 pm and it was cleared by 3.30 pm.

harikrishna paryatana

harikrishna paryatana.... TDP Rajya Sabha member N. Harikrishna on Wednesday visited Velmakanne in the district and consoled the families of two victims who died in a road accident after participating in the party meeting at Gajwel addressed by TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu. Harikrishna said the TDP would extend financial help of Rs. 2 lakh to each of the family.

chiru paryatana

Minister for Housing Botcha Satyanarayana has asked party leaders and cadres not to react to the statements of a political novice. In the same vein, he said, obviously referring to Praja Rajyam Party president Chiranjeevi’s statement that the government was introducing new schemes to woo voters with an eye on elections, any government would act in tune with the situation.

At the DCC general body meeting here on Wednesday, the Minister said that the party would react only if Mr. Chiranjeevi commented objectively. He said that the situation prevailing prior to 2004 where there were migrations from each village had changed, if the statement of Divisional Railway Manager, Visakhapatnam, on the other day that the considerable drop in sale of passenger tickets in rural railway stations was any indication.

The Minister said that the purchasing power of people in the State had increased and the middle-class families now want to consume superfine rice rather than common variety. And for this reason, the Chief Minister would be taking a decision in the next two or three days on the availability of superfine rice variety to these families.

With regard to Indiramma Sambaraalu that begins on Thursday, the Minister said each beneficiary would be paid Rs.50 for participation.

He would participate in the celebrations at Gurla in the morning and Kothavalasa in the evening. During the celebrations, certificates would be issued to beneficiaries eligible for houses and pensions.

P. Sambasiva Raju, Congress MLA, said constituency-level meetings would begin from next month. MLAs K. Ravi Babu, P. Rajanna Dora, K. Veerabhadra Swamy and Sujaya Krishna Ranga Rao spoke. DCC president and MLC V.V. Rama Rao presided.

prakash karath

prakash karath is general secretary of cp(i)m. India will judge Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for not honouring his assurances to parliament on the US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal, CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has said in his latest editorial in the party mouthpiece Peoples Democracy.Describing Dr. Singhs announcements on the deal as an outright betrayal of national interests, Karat says: What we are asking is simply this -- the Prime Minister must stand by his own assurances to the Parliament. Otherwise, as he is fond of repeatedly stating in the parliament, history shall judge him. Prior to that, however, the Indian people shall surely do so.The issue is not one of accepting the CPI(M)s or the Lefts critique of this nuclear deal as being against the fundamental interests of India and reducing India into a subordinate ally of US imperialism. The issue is whether the prime minister will remain loyal to his own assurances to his own people made in Parliament? he said.Karat warns that the betrayal would have serious consequences, both for Indias future as an independent nation and for the future of Parliamentary democracy itself.The Prime Minister can no longer mask the series of departures that he and his government have made from the assurances he himself had given to Parliament and, thus, to the people of India, he said.The CPM leader said, The Prime Minister can no longer mask the series of departures that he and his government have made from the assurances he himself had given to parliament and, thus, to the people of India.

cpm gen

meet to prakash CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat today said that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati could be a prime ministerial candidate of a non-Congress and non-BJP alliance at the Centre depending on the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections.

cp(i)m central committi meeting

cp(i)m central committi meeting is started in new delhi on tuesday morning 10.am.The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) will aim to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll, the party's general secretary Prakash Karat said here Tuesday.

The decision was taken in the three-day Central Committee meeting which concluded here Tuesday.

'For the Lok Sabha election, we've decided to take an electoral platform aiming to defeat the BJP, which is a communal party advocating reactionary economic policies, and for the rejection of the Congress that is forging a strategic alliance with the US and pursuing anti-people economic policies in India,' Karat told a press conference.

He said in the central committee had discussed specific electoral tactics to be pursued in various states and given directions for the election preparations, keeping in mind the assembly polls in six states and the subsequent Lok Sabha poll.

'We'll adopt a common policy along with some non-Congress, non-BJP parties to contest the coming elections. We've already discussed the issue in the Central Committee meeting here,' he said.

Asked whether CPI-M still considered Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati as a prime ministerial candidate, Karat said: 'Since the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is an important political force in Uttar Pradesh, we'll consider it with due importance.'

Earlier, CPI-M politburo member Sitaram Yechury said the party was in talks with a number of regional parties to form a non-Congress secular front at the national level.

bhymsa vatoli incidents

bhymsa is mandal head qaurter in adilabad district in andra pradesh. the area beside of maharastra and karnataka border. adilabad district is full agence area. basara temple is famuos in the district.akkada matha gharsanalaku sanghaparivaar mookalu karanam.sanghaparivaar karyakartalu mathagharsanalaku palpduthuntaaru.

breaking news

today breaking news
The body of two-year-old Sonu was pulled out by rescue workers, four days after he fell into a 150-foot deep borewell at Shamsabad town.Army and paramilitary personnel joined locals in digging a parallel tunnel soon after the incident on Thursday at Lehrakapura but the rescue work was hampered by frequent mudslides due to the soggy nature of the soil as the site was located near a pond.The district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. It has placed under suspension two officials of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam for negligence as they allegedly left the borewell uncovered.“The President has been very concerned about such incidents happening frequently. She has instructed all the Ministries concerned to ensure that basic minimum standards of safety are adhered to and to inform their respective field formations to ensure their strict compliance,” said a Rashtrapathi Bhavan aide.