A letter written in Urdu by the 26/11 convict Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, translated in Marathi by the jail authorities, has been sent to the Bombay High Court expressing his wish to challenge his death sentence.

On May 6, Special Judge M.L. Tahilyani sentenced Kasab to death on four counts for his role in the 26/11 terror attacks in 2008. “A one-page letter by Kasab says that he needs an advocate to defend him in the high court against the death penalty,” said K.K. Sonawane, member secretary of the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA).

Kasab has sought legal aid from the MSLSA — the government provides lawyer and bears the expenses of financially weak convicts/ litigants.

Sonawane said Kasab handed over the letter to the jail authorities on May 22. The jail authorities translated it into Marathi and forwarded it to the high court on May 28. Kasab’s application will be forwarded to the executive chairman of MSLSA and Acting Chief Justice J.N. Patel. Sonawane said they would start the procedure after the court reopens on June 7. “We will finalise name of a legal aid by June 8,” said Sonawane.