M A I L B A G

Justice must prevail in Jessica case

The Jessica Lall case has shaken the nation’s conscience. Dozens of high society people were present in the Tamarind Court of Qutub Colonnade restaurant when Jessica Lall was shot dead point blank. When an innocent  girl is shot dead in front of their eyes, they all disappear. Not even one of them has stood for justice and humanity.

How weak and selfish they are! I am glad the media and certain NGOs have taken up the case for retrial so that the guilty do not get away scot free. It is never too late. Justice must prevail in the Jessica case so that the common man does not lose hope in the judiciary.

MADHU R.D. SINGH, Ambala Cantonment

II

A murder was committed in the presence of over hundred people. But the witnesses turned hostile, the weapon used in the crime disappeared in thin air, police failed to provide evidence for conviction and the culprits walk to freedom. What a mockery of our judicial system!

The justice has turned blind by the muscle and money power. The high and the mighty are set free to commit some other crime. The verdict on Jessica Lal’s murder leaves behind an endless trauma for the victim’s family.

The whole nation is shocked. In public interest, the National Human Rights Commission should approach the Supreme Court for a retrial so that justice may prevail.

Dr S.K. AGGARWAL, Amritsar

III

It is unbelievable that hostile witnesses are rarely punished for perjury in India. Perhaps that is why filing of false affidavits, which is also perjury, is common in our country. No wonder the Satya Meve Jayate (Truth alone triumphs) slogan symbolising the Indian judicial system rings hollow and meaningless.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

IV

Jessica Lall’s murder having taken place in the presence of many witnesses, acquittal of all the nine accused is highly disturbing on two counts. First, the serious miscarriage of justice compounds the profound anguish and injury already inflicted on the next of the kin of the deceased. And secondly, the image of the judiciary has taken a beating even though people have tremendous respect for it.

It is a big loss both for the individual and the state notwithstanding the hope that the case would go for appeal in the higher courts. 

Wg-Cmdr S.C. KAPOOR (retd), Noida

V

It is surprising that though Jessica was killed in front of over a hundred people, all the accused have been acquitted for want of evidence. The national revulsion against the acquittal and demand for retrial is perfectly justified.

As in the Best Bakery case, the retrial will not only bring justice to the aggrieved family but also show that however influential a person might be, he is not above the law. Surely, the Jessica murder case deserves a retrial.

Prof P.K. GUPTA, Bathinda

VI

I was saddened to hear about the verdict in the Jessica Lall murder case. Here was a charming young lady playing hostess, and showering sweetness on weary minds for brief moments; that was just done away with by a goon for some whim.

And the goon has got away with it. There cannot be a worst example of the Indian system of governance and its impact on civil society.

S.P. CHAWLA, Chandigarh

VII

The judicial system is based on witnesses in both criminal and civil suits. The acquittal of all the accused in the Jessica murder case is indeed disturbing. The rich and the powerful politicians could win over the witnesses by money power and under threat or duress.

It is indeed strange how all the eyewitnesses but one turned hostile. This led to the acquittal of the accused. Ideally, the judge should have initiated charges of perjury against the witnesses for having turned hostile and derailed justice.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana