New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS): In keeping with the highest traditions of fair play in India's judiciary, the Supreme Court has appointed senior counsel Raju Ramachandran as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to defend Ajmal Amir Kasab, who has challenged his death sentence in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.

Ramachandran, who was the amicus curiae in the apex court hearing for Zakia Jafri's petition seeking a probe against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 62 others in Gulberg Society massacre during the 2002 riots, described the appointment as a "discharge of his professional responsibilities".

Kasab, a Pakistani national, was the lone terrorist caught alive in the three-day terror siege of Mumbai in November 2008 in which 166 were killed. He was convicted and awarded the death sentence by a Mumbai trial court. This was upheld by the high court.

Kasab has moved the apex court, challenging his death sentence through a letter.