In a development that could delay the trial of seven Pakistanis charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks, two lawyers defending the accused have separated themselves from the case for “personal reasons”.
Defence lawyers Khwaja Haris Ahmad and Riaz Akram Cheema will no longer represent the accused, including lashkar-e-Tayyeba commander Zakiur Rehman lakhvi, who have been on trial for over four years. The move came days ahead of the fifth anniversary of the brazen attacks.
“I have separated myself from the Mumbai case for personal reasons,” Cheema told PTI on Saturday. He said Ahmad had earlier separated himself from the case and handed it over to him.
The exit of the defence lawyers could slow down the pace of the trial since new counsel would take time to familiarise themselves with the case, legal experts said.
Asked repeatedly why he would no longer represent the accused, Cheema only said he had to look after his ailing mother. He declined to comment when he was asked if there was any pressure on him and Ahmad.