The court-appointed lawyer for man accused of being the lone surviving gunman of the Mumbai attacks was today dismissed due to a conflict of interest.
Anjali Waghmare, who had been appointed as state legal aid last month, was found unsuitable to represent Mohammed Ajmal Kasab because she had earlier accepted a brief from a witness related to the November attacks, Judge M.L. Tahilyani said.
"There can't be any other option but to revoke the order of Anjali Waghmare's appointment as an advocate for the accused," he said at a specially built court housed at the city's Arthur Road jail, where Kasab is being held.
An associate of Ms Waghmare will handle the case till the court appoints another lawyer, Ms Tahilyani said.
Kasab, wearing a grey T-shirt and three-quarter length trousers, head covered by a white towel, was earlier brought to court by armed policemen wearing flak jackets.
Kasab, who has said he is from Faridkot in Pakistan, sat barefoot in the dock, stealing glances at the assembled media, smiling and occasionally laughing at the proceedings.
Police say Kasab, who now sports a beard, his hair falling in a mop on his forehead, was one of 10 gunmen who landed in Mumbai by boat and rampaged through landmarks including five star hotels, the main train station and a Jewish centre.
The attacks on India's financial hub sparked renewed tensions between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi saying state agencies were involved in the attacks. Islamabad has denied the charge.
Legal representation for Kasab, who is charged with "waging war" against India during the attacks that killed nearly 170, has been a contentious issue, with several lawyers refusing and others being threatened by Hindu nationalist outfits. He could face the gallows if found guilty.
The two Indians - Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin - accused of being members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group and of doing reconnaissance of Mumbai landmarks before the attack, sat by his side on a low bench and sometimes chatted.
India has charged 38 people in connection with the case. Most of the accused live in Pakistan, the Indian government said.