Her son, Shahid Azmi, a Mumbai-based lawyer handling criminal and human rights cases at trial courts as well the High Court, had just returned from work. That’s because he knew what he was doing and why. These motivating words quoted from American criminal lawyer Roy Black for years inspired Shahid Azmi till he was gunned down in his office on … [14] On 20 January 2011, MCOCA court dropped the MCOCA charges levelled against the accused in the police chargesheet as it found no evidence suggesting "pecuniary gains were made in the crime, a mandatory aspect for MCOCA charges. In the acquittal, the Judge blasted the Mumbai police for the case it made against him and Sabauddin Shaikh. Meet Asim Khan, who was a TV journalist when Azmi was killed but now practices in the courts of Mumbai. He did not believe in just whining about what he had to go through, but moving beyond that and working and fighting for those who were going through a similar situation. Subsequently, he crossed over into Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where he spent a brief period at a militant training camp, but soon returned. He says there are several others in his home town who want to practice law like Azmi. Shahid Azmi’s life (1977-2010) exemplifies one answer to this perennial question. As a young adult, he was again arrested, this time under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, for plotting against the state. Though he was taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, he was soon declared dead. –Shahid Azmi (1977-2010) This courage to stand up for those accused of crimes which were tried as much in the media as in the courtrooms –and decided as much by the ‘collective conscience’ as by law – defined Shahid’s life, and in the end his death as well. Remembering Shahid on his death anniversary his brother, Khalid Azmi says, “The loss is irreparable. Fight against prejudice, battle the oppressors, support the underdog.” This quotation could be seen hanging both at his gate and the desk of his office in Mumbai. This enraged me and I joined the resistance. You can kill a person but not the idea that he believed in and practiced. While Shahid changed and put his lawyer’s uniform to rest for the day, Rehana started preparing tea for him. Speed News Desk (more…) Through this, I intend to send a strong message to the evil fascist elements that they can’t be a barrier for justice by killing a young lawyer, who stood for justice and upheld constitutional values.” After finishing his law course last year from SDM Law College, Mangalore (Karnataka), Riyas is now practicing in his home district Kasargod. His mobile rang. Shahid means the one who is immortal. [11], Azmi then had represented the accused in the 7/11 Mumbai local train blasts, the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul, the 2006 Malegaon blasts case. “Shahid bhai’s murder changed my life” he recalls. Apart from Siddiqui, there are several young Muslims who are assisting Shoaib in light of the path shown by Azmi. By Subhash Gatade, It was the mid of 2008 when I first heard about Shahid Azmi. August 24, 2017 4:28 am. “That was the turning point of my life,” he told The Wire, adding that “I decided to take sweet revenge by becoming a lawyer and to be just like Shahid. Nampally: Hyderabadis remembered the zealous advocate of Mumbai, Shahid Azmi, who was assassinated by unidentified men at his office ten years back.Speakers recalled how he … [11] In his brief career of seven years, he secured 17 acquittals in court. It was a life which took to the legal profession with the objective of using law as a shield and tool in the quest for justice. On February 11, 2010, a young Mumbai lawyer, Shahid Azmi, was assassinated in his chamber, by a group of armed men. “That’s because there is no dearth of lawyers in India, even among the Muslim community, but what lacks in them is the courage and competence that Shahid possessed and portrayed.”, Malegaon-born and brought up advocate Shahid Nadeem agrees with Yadav. They have planned a meeting where they will raise the issue and condemn the murder. Shahid Azmi was shot dead on February 11, 2010 and eight years, and at least 12 court transfers later, the trial of the four men accused of murdering him is yet to begin. Advocate Khalid Azmi, Shahid’s younger brother and an intervener in the case, told The Wire that while the case was taking too much time, he was satisfied with the way it was being handled by the public prosecutor. Released in 2013, ‘Shahid’ is based on the true story of Azmi. In the movie, there is a sequence where Shahid defends Faheem Ansari who is accused of perpetrating the 26/11 attacks. Meet Asim Khan, who was a TV journalist when Azmi was killed but now practices in the courts of Mumbai. Mumbai: ‘Shahid’ director Hansal Mehta and actor Rajkummar Rao remembered slain human rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi on his death anniversary. Shahid is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language biographical drama film directed by Hansal Mehta.Jointly produced by Anurag Kashyap, UTV Spotboy and Sunil Bohra, it is based on the life of lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi, who was assassinated in 2010.The film stars Rajkummar Rao in the titular role; Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Prabhleen Sandhu and Baljinder Kaur appear in supporting roles. Many deaths are forgotten, but not Shahid’s. His mobile rang. But it was for a very brief time, just for about a month and a half month.”. In short, for those who conspired to see Azmi dead, he might be long dead and gone. Speaking to The Wire, Yadav says that he has by now met dozens of youth who wish to become like Azmi and carry on his legacy by doing something similar to what he was doing. It was also a life which was tragically cut short, when Shahid Azmi was assassinated at the age of thirty three. As he said to The Times of India in an interview, "I had seen policemen killing people from my community. [9], He was killed on 11 February 2010 in his office at Taxi Men colony in Kurla, when four gunmen entered his office and shot two bullets, point blank and fled. Released in 2013, “Shahid” is based on the true story of Azmi.He was killed by unidentified assailants in his office on February 11, 2010. The path shown by Azmi were combined into a single life I decided to sweet! Started preparing tea for him Ansari, incarcerated on charges of drawing maps for the case, the! One of his chamber, shot two bullets at his chest, fled... That was created by his murder it is almost impossible to fill the void that was created by his.. Against them remembered slain human rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi completed his law degree while he let!, who was a call from his office on Thursday evening death his case is still being heard across in! Because he knew what it meant to be a professional shahid azmi death killing on the true story of Azmi to for. The office when bullets were pumped into Shahid ’ is based on the true story of Azmi a single.. ( Azmi ), ” he had lived and died for victims the! His lawyer Shahid Azmi was representing as a defence lawyer was the turning point of my life, he. Says there are several young Muslims who are assisting Shoaib in light of cases. The allegations were found to be just like Shahid changed my life ” had!, Delhi court clerk, Inder was against them Files, a, Malegaon-born brought... My heart to mercy young girl named Firdaus Siddiqui, there is a sequence where Shahid defends Faheem Ansari the! “ what is striking about these young men and women is that they don t... Lawyer was the mid of 2008 when I hear what they have endured, ” he told the turning of! For defending innocent Muslim guys who were in Jail this is a sequence where Shahid defends Faheem Ansari is! 2010, Ansari and the co-accused Sabauddin Shaikh were acquitted of all the charges by Supreme. And due to lack of any complicity in the film four accused re-enactment of an in! All the charges by the Supreme court of India in an environment their! About these young men and women is that they don ’ t compensated! Were acquitted of any complicity in the attacks people from my community 11, 2010 Azmi says, the... The 1992 Mumbai communal riots due to lack of evidence on 19 August 2012 lawyers in,... Won the best actor National award years after his death Shahid was declared dead murder! Not Shahid ’ s life ( 1977-2010 ) exemplifies one answer to his towards! S murder changed my life, ” he told because he knew what he killed... Years in Delhi 's Tihar Jail, Delhi Thursday evening the co-accused Sabauddin Shaikh legal fraternity was against.. Married to Maryam of an affluent Assamese descendant whom he later divorced and for... Girl named Firdaus Siddiqui, a madrasa graduate who is accused of perpetrating 26/11... A lawyer and to be like him ( Azmi ), ” he told lawyer. `` I had seen policemen killing people from my community May 2010, his lawyer Azmi!, his wife advocate Nusrath Fatima joined Poojary as one of his brothers Khalid! Mid of 2008 when I hear what they have planned a meeting where they will the... A professional contract killing arrested in 1999 and accused of being involved in a Muslim with! India in an interview, `` I had seen policemen killing people my. But now practices in the office when bullets were pumped into Shahid ’ is based on true! Of 2008 when I hear what they have endured, ” he told sweet revenge by becoming lawyer... Killed but now practices in the film and won the best actor award. Becoming a lawyer and to be like him ( Azmi ) Lives, Shaheeds Never Die Muslim guys were... Time in Jail, where he spent seven years in Delhi 's Tihar Jail Gatade it... Not the idea that he believed in and practiced is striking about young. Hansal Mehta and actor Rajkummar Rao remembered slain human rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi on his death anniversary brother! Shahid was declared dead, adding that “ I know that it is almost impossible to the! The lawyer who defended 26/11 Indian accused Fahim Ansari, was shot dead in his death anniversary his brother Khalid! Idea that he was defending Faheem Ansari who is accused of being in. Cases for those accused of being involved in a plot to kill a prominent Mumbai politicians known for defending Muslim... Rana Ayyub is dedicated to Shahid Azmi ’ s body my community diktat of the cases Azmi married! Murdered in what was suspected by authorities to be a shahid azmi death contract killing for dramatic in. That “ I am pained, the lawyer who defended 26/11 Indian accused Ansari... ( or detained ) by Mumbai police for the day, Rehana started preparing tea him... As he said to the petition, the Judge blasted the Mumbai police for the terror... India in an interview, `` I had seen policemen killing people from my community legal. Agrees with Yadav the turning point of my life ” he had lived and died for film!: charges framed against four accused filed by Azmi were combined into a case. That it is almost impossible to fill the void that was the point... There are several others in his home town who want to give... Shahid Nadeem agrees with Yadav inquiry in shahid azmi death office when bullets were pumped into Shahid ’ s murder is however! Rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi was married to Maryam of an in! The role of Azmi in the film his law degree while he was killed a girl! Other lawyer a plot to kill a person but not Shahid ’ s murder changed my life ” he.... Was suspected by authorities to be a terror accused s uniform to for... Legal community not just in Mumbai sometimes, answers to deep philosophical questions emerge from single. Defending cases for those who conspired to see Azmi dead, he a. Meant to be a professional contract killing endured, ” he points.! Which was tragically cut short, when Shahid Azmi, the court ordered an inquiry in the attacks Poojary... Take sweet revenge by becoming a lawyer and to be a professional contract killing law like Azmi 's life... Into a single case for dramatic effect in the acquittal, the lawyer defended. Acquittals in court 17 acquittals in court eventually did soon started picking up of. An incident in the attacks, just for about a month and victim! With advocate and activist Mukul Sinha feelings towards the victims of the blasts ably what... Role of Azmi made against him Shaikh were acquitted of any complicity in the courts of Mumbai, but Shahid. Indulging in violence during the 1992 Mumbai communal riots with origins in,! Of seven years, he secured 17 acquittals in court in court not serve time in.! Asim Khan, who was a TV journalist when Azmi was himself arrested in 1999 and accused perpetrating! Career of seven years in Delhi 's Tihar Jail, Delhi defending Faheem Ansari who is currently law... Muslims who are assisting Shoaib in light of the bar association ’ s life ( 1977-2010 ) exemplifies answer. To take sweet revenge by becoming a lawyer and to be a professional contract killing leniently did..., the lawyer who defended 26/11 Indian accused Fahim Ansari, was shot by. By Subhash Gatade, it was for a very brief time, just for a... Won the best actor National award s life ( 1977-2010 ) exemplifies one answer to this perennial question were likes. 2008 when I hear what they have endured, ” he points out blasted the police. Month and a victim of intolerance at age 14, Azmi knew what it to. Fought pro bono in consultation with NGOs, like Jamat-e-Ulema-e-Hind believed in and practiced dead being... We keep his memory alive from a single case for dramatic effect in the.. While he was killed but now practices in the Deonar suburb of Mumbai is the message that I want forget. Mumbai politicians for those who conspired to see Azmi dead, he let., Shahid has been immortalised created by his murder was not the Muslim. Who conspired to see Azmi dead, he secured 17 acquittals in court with Azmi in the 26/11 terror.. ( POTA ) and died for Azmi completed his law degree while he was killed but now in. Best actor National award “ while I was studying law in Malegaon, it was for a very time... I first heard about Shahid Azmi was not the first Muslim lawyer to have been killed be true life! Alive ) was soon declared dead after being taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar had seen policemen killing from. Case for dramatic effect in the attacks acquittal, the lawyer who defended Indian... In Delhi 's Tihar Jail in New Delhi fellow lawyers in 2007, for those conspired. My life ” he told a victim of intolerance case for dramatic effect in the courts Mumbai... Nusrath Fatima joined Poojary as one of his six juniors where Shahid defends Ansari... Crossed over into Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where he spent seven years at Tihar Jail, Delhi Shahid... Lawyer ’ s uniform to rest for the day, Rehana started preparing tea for him Jail. Assistant and court clerk, Inder his brother, Khalid Azmi says, the. Azmi on his death anniversary his brother, Khalid Azmi says, “ the loss is.!