M A I L B A G

Jessica case retrial imperative

THE editorial “Murder of justice” (Feb 24) exposes the abject failure of the criminal judicial system in the country. The proverbial Eleventh Commandment “thou shall not be found out” has wormed its way into criminal justice administration and truth is now its biggest casualty.

Generally, criminal charges stick to a person like flies to the honey pot, but the influential politico-criminals often outsmart the system to wash away the stigma and set themselves free with the help of the blind and corrupt system. They know how to manipulate the investigation, manage the evidence, make witnesses disappear or retract statements all with the connivance of law enforcing agencies.

There could be no better case than Jessica Lall’s to show why we must overhaul the criminal-judicial investigation system. Still the question remains: Why don’t judges make use of Section 311 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 which empowers them to ask probing questions at any stage of trial and accountability of the police officers who connive with the strong and mighty to murder justice?

Dr VITULL K. GUPTA, Bathinda

II

If no one is found guilty by the courts, who killed Jessica? The law seems to be blind in this case. The law is supposed to be equal for all citizens but it is not so for politicians and other celebrities.

In other countries, well known celebrities have suffered the right prosecution for their unlawful actions. However, in India, most cases against politicians and other celebrities end up in acquittal for the lack of proof or evidence.

M. KUMAR, New Delhi

III

While the legal system and its custodians are responsible for the miscarriage of justice in the Jessica Lal murder case, a certain responsibility now lies with the people of Chandigarh.

The culprits have been thriving in this city. Everyone knows who they are. The people should spurn them socially and boycott their businesses. This will be a test of their moral fibre.

LALIT MOHAN, Gurgaon

IV

Once again the acquittal of all the accused in the Jessica Lal case proved the age-old proverb “Justice delayed is justice denied” absolutely correct. Complex and cumbersome procedures, giving too much opportunity to accused to prove their innocence, prolonged delay in justice, lack of strict provisions against hostile witnesses are some of the peculiar problems of our judicial system which need to be sorted out urgently by the government. Otherwise, persons with money and muscle power would continue to go scot-free and make common man lose faith in the judiciary.

RUPINDERJEET PANDWALA, Dera Bassi

V

Justice is truth. But in this case, truth has been butchered mercilessly. Who does not know the killer in the Jessica case? Yet, the fellow and his partners all have been acquitted honourably. Oh, what kind of laws this country has! The high ups go scot free, making a mockery of justice.

G.S. BAL, Pehowa

Torture of Iraqi soldiers IT was disgusting to see the way British soldiers were treating the Iraqi protestors. Four soldiers were beating one unarmed Iraqi with their batons, shoes and what not. It is a lesson for the whole world to guard against foreign occupation of their land. These men do not have any value for human beings. There is no condemnation from the West. God alone knows what the soldiers are doing. Torturing civilians seems to be an entertainment for the West. I don’t know when wiser counsel will prevail over these people. SURAJ R.K. KAPOOR, Solan

Goa’s problems

Goa has wasted the better half of last year scrambling on the Town and Country Planning Ordinance. The Goa airport imbroglio should be resolved by the release of the techno-economic feasibility report by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Airport de Paris International (ADPI). There is need for an inquiry into all recent land deals within a radius of 10 km of the proposed Mopa airport.

The government must attend to Goa’s pressing problems. Rampant corruption, unemployment and law and order should be checked on priority. The garbage issue continues to haunt us, not to forget stray dogs and mosquitoes.

AIRES RODRIGUES, Mumbai

Postal interest

The interest of savings accounts is not calculated in the postal passbooks for nearly three years or so. Requests for interest or death claims are not entertained. Apparently, the post masters do not send the lists of interests/ claims to the investors. This is causing inconvenience to the people.

What is the benefit of the hi-tech revolution in the post offices if other financial institutions are doing much better to their valued customers?

KRISHAN KHERA, Lohian Khas (Jalandhar)

Best in the world

Our soldiers are regarded as the best professionals in the world. Their loyalty and integrity to the defence services and the country is unquestionable. Therefore, the government is duty-bound to protect their morale. The defence services should be kept above all controversies. This is the best way to preserve the secular character of the forces

BABU RAM DHIMAN, Pinjore