Ram Jethmalani expresses willingness to defend Sen

Ram Jethmalani expresses willingness to defend Sen
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, DEC 28
Defending his profession against his political affiliations, eminent lawyer and BJP MP Ram Jethmalani also expressed his willingness to represent sedition convict Benayak Sen.
A section of the national press had reportedly carried reports of Jethmalani’s intended willingness to provide legal help to Benayak Sen who has been convicted for sedition.
Speaking to local reporters during his holiday at a starred resort in Canacona taluka, Jethmalani renewed his offer to provide his services to Sen, if approached for legal aid.
Taking a pot-shot at the press for blowing the issue out of proportion, Jethmalani said: “The press is unnecessary making an issue of my casual remark. It was when someone asked me, whether I would take up the case of sedition convict Benayak Sen, I had just said that it is my dharma/religion to protect the innocent and I would certainly consider if such a proposal comes to me.”
But when this correspondent persisted with the question that the person in question was already convicted by a court in a case of sedition, a serious offence against the nation, Jethmalani retorted: “Conviction is never final. Does it mean that convicted people have no right to appeal?”
“Right now, I don’t know about the judgement of Benayak Sen’s conviction and I have not gone through the charges and defence files for and against him. But the court gives so many convictions and had also convicted Gilani. I had represented his case like so many others also,” the eminent lawyer said.
When reminded of his party’s (BJP) strong claims of being a party of nationalists and that his offer to represent Sen could dent his party’s image, Jethmalani said: “Does BJP want the conviction of innocent people?”
“But again, I am saying that I have my profession on one part and I am wide open for consideration if any proposal comes to me to defend court convict Benayak Sen or anyone else,” he said.
“I believe that I have every right to represent people who claim they are innocent and approach for my legal help. My profession does not permit me to refuse such help,” said Jethmalani, before walking away to join other family members in their villa at the starred resort.