This week, Ajmal Kasab’s verdict was announced and he was sentenced to death.
The news was on all National Dailies and media for 1 day and then slowly faded away for other news like Godhra Verdict (after 9 years), World cup cricket (Biggies winning over minnows) and others.
The news was also coupled with lot of smart people providing their comments and analysis. Some were praising the Indian democracy and how he was given a proper court hearing which can happen only in India. There were others who appreciated the speed of Indian judicial system in reaching the verdict so fast (in just 24 months). While others just spoke about how Indian legal system has all the right ingredients in place to ensure that the criminals are punished. One of the politician even went ahead and said while we have completed the process, Pakistan has not even started the case (Read he was referring to Pakistan trying the perpetrators of this heinous act within their own country against those people whom India has suggested were involved in it).
All these praises were for a case of a lone terrorist who survived out of the 10 who mercilessly killed scores of Indians. This guy was caught red handed, was witnessed by numerous people, was caught on CCTV and media cameras while committing the act. He initially even accepted his guilt (only to be retracted later). Everyone in the country including the judge, lawyers, general public and Indian politicos were aware of the case, the accused and I can bet everyone were also sure of the verdict in advance. Still in order to prove that we have the world’s best democracy and may be the world’s best legal system now (???), we went ahead with this long court drama with multiple charges levelled against him (including Ajmal travelling without ticket in a local train), numerous witnesses being paraded in court, many defense lawyers being replaced (after some of them were bashed up by local “Senas”) and providing a ‘Z’ level security to Kasab (So that he doesn’t die before him being pronounced guilty).
All in all, we spent Rs 45 Crore so far (and still counting) and this is over and above the crores that this guy anyways inflicted upon the Indian infrastructure by bombs and bullets. This guy can still appeal in Supreme court and file for mercy petition. There are also very high chances that he might never be hanged (as is the case with previous death sentences) and we continue to bear his expenses.
So should we believe all of this and feel proud about our democracy and judicial system? Was it really important to conduct this entire farce?
Food for thought: What if like the Jessica Lal case (the witnesses would have changed their statements and turned hostile) and there was no proof to convict him, would he have walked out scot-free? What would have we done then?
Showing posts with label Ajmal Kasab. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ajmal Kasab. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Indian system - what are we showcasing to the world?
Year 2009 is coming to a close and for we Indians its closing with a BANG (quite literally). No I am not talking about the stock movements or the GDP growths or Industrial output figures etc etc.
I am talking of some shameful and disgraceful cases that have come to limelight at the fag end of this year. All these cases should force us to sit back and take notice of how things have been working in India. What is the kind of image we would like to project to the world?
The first one is Mr. Ajmal Kasab. This guy was caught on television, witnessed by many traumatized people killing so many innocents. It has been more than a year since this incident happened. The trial has lasted for so many months costing we tax payers more than Rs 30 Crores. He admitted his guilt in court in front of the judges. But no, we are a “democratic” law abiding nation that treats our prisoners really very well. Getting frustrated of the never ending case, this guy starts behaving mischievously. He first retracts his admission. Then he mentioned he is an Indian citizen caught by the police at least 20 days prior to the incident. He had come to Mumbai to become an actor and he resembles the terrorist in the pictures. Way to go buddy. You have now found out how Indian legal system can be played with. At this rate, the case can go on and on and on. And we tax payers will continue to foot your free accommodation and lunches as a privileged guest in our Incredible India.
Moving on is Mr N D Tiwari. We all had heard of stories of politicians and celebrities caught in compromising positions across the globe. But this is first instance that came to light in Indian politics (though I am very sure others are just as well hidden). That ways, Mr Tiwari, you should get the pole position. An 86 years old so-called freedom fighter is caught on camera. But still he has the guts to say that it’s not him. He has done nothing wrong and his entire life has been dedicated to the service of nation. Yes sir, you have been servicing the nation very well and I am again sure that it’s just a matter of days when this story will die like many other stories in the past and you might well be re-instated as the governor of some other state to continue your dedicated service.
Last and to top both of above is the case of Ruchika Girotra and the accused SPS Rathore (a high-ranking police officer having been given some of the highest honors in police service). I don’t even have to write any details on this topic because it’s getting sufficient media coverage already.
But just look at the way our legal system works. After 19 years of incident, 16 years post death of victim, the accused gets convicted for a 6 months sentence only to be released on bail the very next day at a bail of Rs 1000. (yes you hear it right… that’s Rs 1000 which is not even considered a respectable bribe these days). He comes out smiling and says that he will appeal back.
All these cases might not be remembered while I write my blog at the end of next year. Most of the people shouting, screaming and protesting at these cases including me will very soon forget everything. Well, we have very short memories not to mention that we have umpteen fresh cases coming up every month to keep us engaged. So who is bothered?
Way to go 2009!
I am talking of some shameful and disgraceful cases that have come to limelight at the fag end of this year. All these cases should force us to sit back and take notice of how things have been working in India. What is the kind of image we would like to project to the world?
The first one is Mr. Ajmal Kasab. This guy was caught on television, witnessed by many traumatized people killing so many innocents. It has been more than a year since this incident happened. The trial has lasted for so many months costing we tax payers more than Rs 30 Crores. He admitted his guilt in court in front of the judges. But no, we are a “democratic” law abiding nation that treats our prisoners really very well. Getting frustrated of the never ending case, this guy starts behaving mischievously. He first retracts his admission. Then he mentioned he is an Indian citizen caught by the police at least 20 days prior to the incident. He had come to Mumbai to become an actor and he resembles the terrorist in the pictures. Way to go buddy. You have now found out how Indian legal system can be played with. At this rate, the case can go on and on and on. And we tax payers will continue to foot your free accommodation and lunches as a privileged guest in our Incredible India.
Moving on is Mr N D Tiwari. We all had heard of stories of politicians and celebrities caught in compromising positions across the globe. But this is first instance that came to light in Indian politics (though I am very sure others are just as well hidden). That ways, Mr Tiwari, you should get the pole position. An 86 years old so-called freedom fighter is caught on camera. But still he has the guts to say that it’s not him. He has done nothing wrong and his entire life has been dedicated to the service of nation. Yes sir, you have been servicing the nation very well and I am again sure that it’s just a matter of days when this story will die like many other stories in the past and you might well be re-instated as the governor of some other state to continue your dedicated service.
Last and to top both of above is the case of Ruchika Girotra and the accused SPS Rathore (a high-ranking police officer having been given some of the highest honors in police service). I don’t even have to write any details on this topic because it’s getting sufficient media coverage already.
But just look at the way our legal system works. After 19 years of incident, 16 years post death of victim, the accused gets convicted for a 6 months sentence only to be released on bail the very next day at a bail of Rs 1000. (yes you hear it right… that’s Rs 1000 which is not even considered a respectable bribe these days). He comes out smiling and says that he will appeal back.
All these cases might not be remembered while I write my blog at the end of next year. Most of the people shouting, screaming and protesting at these cases including me will very soon forget everything. Well, we have very short memories not to mention that we have umpteen fresh cases coming up every month to keep us engaged. So who is bothered?
Way to go 2009!
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