New Delhi - An Indian court Thursday appointed a new lawyer to defend Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman suspect captured during the Mumbai terrorist attacks that killed over 170 people in November, news reports said.

Abbas Kazmi, a criminal lawyer from Mumbai, was appointed by Special Judge ML Tahilyani to replace Anjali Waghmare who was removed by the court on grounds of "professional misconduct," the IANS news agency reported.

Kasab, allegedly a member of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist organization, appeared before the special court in the high-security Mumbai jail where he is also lodged had demanded a Pakistani lawyer for his defence. However, his plea was rejected by Tahilyani.

The special court said if the Pakistani government or his family members wished to engage an Indian lawyer, they were free to do so.

Kasab is being kept in custody at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai where the trial began Wednesday. Tight security arrangements have been made in and around the jail complex.

Kasab, 21, is accused of being part of a 10-member group that mounted attacks in Mumbai for three days beginning November 26. He was captured hours after the assault. More than 170 people were killed in the siege, including the nine other gunmen.

Kasab is accused of murder and waging war against the nation, among other charges. Two Indian nationals who are accused along with Kasab are also facing trial.

Indian police filed an 11,000-page charge sheet against 38 people including Kasab. A total of 2,202 witnesses have been identified but it is not yet clear how many will be called to testify.

The charges allege key planners of the assaults included Pakistan-based LET leaders Hafeez Sayyid, Fahim Ansari, Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah. Those men are in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and have been listed as "wanted absconders." (dpa)