Birmingham-based solicitor Harjot Singh is not new to India. He has earlier represented notorious criminals like Babloo Srivastva and Bihar legislator Rajan Tiwari.
MUMBAI: Abu Salem’s Birmingham-based solicitor Harjot Singh is not new to India. He has earlier represented notorious criminals like Babloo Srivastva and Bihar legislator Rajan Tiwari.
Speaking to DNA on Monday, Singh said he was engaged by Lisbon-based solicitor John Nabaias who defended Abu Salem in Portuguese courts.
“I was there in the European court of human rights and the Portuguese constitutional court to assist Nabaias in Indian jurisprudence issues,” Singh said. “I am a qualified lawyer in India as well as in the UK.”
Born and brought up in Lucknow, the 27-year old bachelor migrated to Britain three years ago and started working with the renowned legal firm Rashid and Co, which has its offices on Witton Road in Birmingham’s Aston suburb.
The firm is owned by a Lahore-born British national. Singh qualified as a solicitor on July 15, 2005, and founded his own company, HPS and Co, soon after.
Asked about his status in Salem's defence team, Singh said, "I will not be leading the team, but I will be one of the lawyers on the team because I am qualified to appear in Indian courts."
Asked who will foot the bill, Singh said, "It is too early to think of payment. Now the point is to assist the court and secure justice for our client."
Discussing Salem's reported confession, Singh said, "It will be subject to future case strategy. If a confession is secured under duress, it will be subject to judicial review and scrutiny.
"Advocate OH Siddiqui has already told the court that if such a confession is secured, it will be illegal. There will be a cross examination and it will be challenged in court."
Denying reports that he will be reaching Mumbai on Tuesday, Singh said he is still stuck with the voluminous translation work and will not reach the city before Friday.
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