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Two sides of our Judicial System

Two important verdicts were out from the High Courts in the last couple of days. And both were stark contrast. One verdict enfeebles our belief in our judicial system, while other restores it. Yes, I am talking about the Jessica Lal case and Best Bakery case. The cases which show the good and bad sides of our Courts.

On Wednessday, Manu Sharma was acquitted from the Jessica Lal murder case. Every Indian was shocked, but not surprised. Indians have seen many politicians and rich people twisting the laws and getting verdicts in their favour. But this case "had" stronger evidence. There were many witnesses. The murder was carried out in front of packed crowd of 400 in a pub. Still the witnesses turned "hostile", including many high profile ones like Shayan Munshi. This just shows that what money and political power can do in India. Hundreds of witnesses were "persuaded". Court had no option but to give verdict in the Manu Sharma's favour. What Court could have done in this matter, is the question some might ask. Can't we change our laws so that witnesses cannot retract their sentances? Or can we provide protection for witnesses so that nobody tries to woo them? And first of all can we quicken the judicial process in order that the accused like Manu Sharma do not get time to twist the cases? The answers to most of these questions can be found in the Best Bakery case.

Yesterday, Court convicted 9 of the 22 accused in the Best Bakery case. This was a triumphant judgement for Court, whose image was sullied just a couple of days back , because of Jessica Lal case. This case also had a precedent like Jessica Lal case, where murderers were acquited by Gujarat High Court. But Supreme Court ordered to try the case in Mumbai High Court, first judgement of this kind. Well, it had all the drama in the Mumbai High Court as well. Zahira turning hostile and blaming Tista Setalwad. But verdict is finally out and it helps to restore faith in Indian democracy and judicial system. This case is also lesson for politicians who are in delusion that they can get away from the atrocities they have perpetrated.

With such positive verdict, we also have hope that justice will be delivered in Jessica Lal case as well. The positive steps are already being taken with Delhi High Court approaching Delhi police suo moto to provide more concrete evidence in this case. We have to believe that "Justice delayed is not justice denied".

posted by ninad @ 10:52 am