Fahim Ansari, accused in Mumbai terror attacks case, on Monday informed the trial court that he was threatened by police to change his lawyer or he would be booked separately in a hawala case.
Fahim Ansari, accused in Mumbai terror attacks case, on Monday informed the trial court that he was threatened by police to change his lawyer or he would be booked separately in a hawala case.
Ansari, who appeared before the court on television in a video conference, told Judge ML Tahilyani that police had asked him in jail to change his lawyer and instead hire an advocate from the state legal aid panel.
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"They (police) had even gone to my house and threatened my wife to influence my decision to change the lawyer. She would come to the court today to inform you sir," he said.
Just as this conversation between the judge and the accused was going on, Ansari's wife in a burkha raised her hand to inform that she was present.
The judge then told her that he would give her a hearing later and assured Ansari that he would look into the matter. Later, the judge heard Ansari's wife in-camera but did not pass any orders.
Reporters were asked to leave the courtroom. Fahim is charged with making recce of hotel Taj, Trident and other places which were struck by terrorists on November 26 last year.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, described Ansari's allegations as 'baseless' saying Fahim wanted to prolong the trial as he had sought a month's time to engage a lawyer.
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