Kasab admits before court he is from Pakistan

Mumbai: Ajmal Kasab, the lone gunman arrested in the Mumbai terror attacks, on Monday accepted before the trial judge that he was a Pakistani national and told the court that he is fine with government-provided lawyer to defend him.

Kasab (21) appeared before special judge M L Tahiliyani via video link from the Arthur Road jail where he is presently lodged in a high security cell giving the media the first glimpse of the surviving terrorist who along with his nine accomplices were involved in the carnage.

Tahiliyani asked Kasab to identify himself and asked him where he was from. Kasab replied that he was from Faridkot, in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Three-tier security for Kasab

When asked by the court if he wanted a lawyer for the trial, Kasab said, "If there is a trial, then I will need a lawyer."

Kasab was earlier asked if he had a lawyer to which Kasab said, "As of now I don't have one."

Asked by the judge if he had any preference, he said, "Could you just call the lawyer who appeared on my behalf on November 27?"

The court informed him that he had no lawyer representing him during his first and only court appearance. The court asked him if was agreeable to a government-appointed lawyer.

"Theek hai (all right)," Kasab said, speaking in Hindi during the court appearance.

Complete coverage of Mumbai terror attack

When asked by the judge if he knew him, Kasab replied in English, "I don't."

Subsequently, judge Tahiliyani introduced himself, "I am the judge who will conduct the trial in your case." Hearing this Kasab smiled and replied, "Namaste."

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