Sainiks attack lawyer house for willing to fight Ajmal's case

AMRAVATI: About 100 Shiv Sainiks on Monday attacked the residence of a lawyer, who showed interest in fighting the case of the terrorist arrested in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Mohammed Ajmal Amin and ransacked his office.

Frezerpura Police said the activists, armed with canes, stormed the Vijay Colony-based residence of advocate Mahesh Deshmukh, who had shown willingness to fight the legal battle for Ajmal.

Police said the irate Shiv Sainiks stormed Deshmukh's office in his house and ransacked it. They damaged telephone and furniture and threw books and documents out of the house. They also damaged the two-wheelers of his tenants, which were parked in front of the house.

The Sainiks were against Deshmukh taking 'Vakilpatra' of Ajmal when the Bar Associations all over India had decided not to take up Ajmal's case. Deshmukh had sent his assistant to Mumbai District and Sessions Court today to request the court to allow him to meet Ajmal, who is in police custody, and express his (Deshmukh's) desire to take his Vakilpatra if he permitted.

The Shiv Sainiks also allegedly manhandled Deshmukh and a couple of cops present at the spot. The activists then went to the District and Sessions Court here, shouting slogans and waiving flags.

They met the office-bearers of Amravati Bar Association and requested them to take action against Deshmukh who was "acting" against the decision of the Association.

The office-bearers of bar association assured to take up the issue in the meeting to be held this evening.

Meanwhile, Deshmukh told PTI that Ajmal has a constitutional right to employ a lawyer for his defence and he was prepared to provide him legal service, if the latter acceded to his request.

Deshmukh lodged a complaint against the Shiv Sainiks at Frezerpura police station.

Shiv Sena district unit leaders-Someshwar Pusatkar and Sudhir Suryawanshi, Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena's Bala Talokar and nearly 100 activists were involved in the attack, police said.