Baig's defence reacts sharply to barb

Lawyers of German Bakery blast accused say questions like who's paying them send wrong message to society

Among the many taunts thrown by members of the Pune Bar Association at the lawyer who took up the case of German Bakery blast suspect Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig (29) yesterday was one asking him who would be paying his fees. Later, as protests continued outside the court, Baig's defence spoke to MiD DAY and reacted sharply to that particular barb.


Due course of law: German Bakery blast accused Himayat Baig
(face covered) is brought to the court

"Why is the same question not being asked to the lawyers representing Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur?" said Advocate M M Sayyed, the lawyer representing Baig along with Advocate A Rehman, who filed Baig's vakalatnama earlier in the day when the accused was produced in court for extension of police custody.

Baig's lawyers said there were 25 lawyers representing Sadhvi Pragya, but the same question had not been thrown at any of them.

They said comments as were directed at them inside and outside the courtroom sent wrong signals to society.
"We appeal to all to avoid such comments as they only result in discrimination on the basis of religion," said Advocate Sayyed. "Baig's parents approached us just two days ago, requesting us to accept his case. His old parents were in deep shock, which is why they did not approach us before this."

Sayyed added that he and Rehman were not bothered by the reactions to their taking up Baig's case.
"We strongly believe that every accused has the right to defend himself," said Sayyed. "The accused arrested in high profile cases like the Indira Gandhi murder case and General Arunkumar Vaidya murder case were also defended by lawyers. The accused has a fundamental right to defend himself in person or through an advocate under Section 303 of CrPC and the advocate is bound by duty to not refuse a case unless he can give reasonable grounds for doing so."

Rehman, while arguing before Swaroop Bose, pleaded against extension of police custody for Baig.
Rehman argued that the accused was arrested on mere suspicion.
"Baig's a teacher by profession and was falsely implicated in the case," said Rehman.

He said the prosecution had already seized the hard disks, the pen drive and some documents it believed were forged and now there was no need for further police custody.