Shahid Azmi, who was defending 26/11 terror attack accused, Fahim Ansari, was shot dead in his office around 8 pm yesterday. The 34-year old Azmi, was taken to the nearby Rajawadi Hospital where he was declared dead. Reports indicate that 4 assailants entered his office in Taximen’s Colony in Kurla, Mumbai and shot him at point blank range.

Azmi first came into the limelight when he defended Omar Sheikh and Masood Azhar, who were later released in exchange for the passengers and crew of the Indian Airlines flight IC 814, that was hijacked to Kandahar in December ’99. He also represented the accused in the 7/11 blasts case. Representing Jamitul Ulema, Maharashtra, he filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA Act).

Fahim Ansari is a suspected Lashkar-E-Toiba terrorist and is accused of masterminding the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court had rejected Ansari’s petition for a retrial as had accused Sessions Judge M.L. Tahaliyani of being biased.

Reports reveal that Azmi was arrested in the Hindu-Muslim communal riots that rocked Mumbai between December 1992-January 1993. A 19 year-old Azmi utilized his 4-year stint at the Tihar jail completing his education. After his release, he studied law and enrolled in the Bar Council after completing his post-graduation.

Born in Kashmir, who later migrated to Mumbai, was accused of plotting to kill Shiv Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray, He was also charged under the now defunct Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA). Azmi was awarded a five-year sentence in 1999, but was acquitted the same year by the Supreme Court.

Rohini Salian, who has appeared in cases against Azmi, said, "This is very unfortunate. This reflects not only on the security of defence counsels, but on everybody." "Azmi used to appear with me in many cases. As an officer of the court he was a thorough professional. He would meticulously prepare for every case. Though he had a tendency to stammer a little, in court he was very impressive. I was a year or two his senior, but there were times when I learned from him," said advocate Mubin Solkar.

After this dreadful attack, K.P. Pawar, who is appearing for prime accused in the 26/11 case, Ajmal Kasab, seems to have an increased security.

Picture Courtesy: Deepak Turbherkar, Mumbai Mirror