L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

‘Perfect murder’ makes mockery of CBI

Under the law the burden of proof is always on the prosecution to prove its case beyond all doubts and in case of any doubt, the benefit always goes in favour of the accused (“Aarushi case, a perfect murder?” (Dec 30). It is the investigating agencies – the police and the CBI — which have to collect evidence and in case of any discrepancy the fate of the case might be that of Aarushi’s where no charge sheet will be filed against anybody because of lack of evidence.

No doubt the IPC defines murder but the definition of “perfect murder” is missing because here the accused has done the murder in such a calculated manner that the investigating agencies have failed to solve it. There is need to use high-class investigation techniques otherwise a “perfect murder” would make a mockery of the investigating agencies and many more Aarushis would not get justice.

SACHIV KUMAR, Assistant Professor, Army Institute of Law, Mohali

Col (retd) AS Kapoor, Kharar

Human relations

Rajbir Deswal’s middle “K’ey factor in human relations” (Dec.30) has deliberated over a medley of human relationships and their endurance. It is true that a certain code of conduct and decorum has to be observed to keep any relationship going — be it within the family or with neighbours, friends and relatives.

Relationships, like plants, have to be nurtured with safe distance, trust, sincerity and a low level of expectations. Otherwise, they might wilt. Behaving with propriety and maturity can help build bridges instead of create dividing walls

PARAMBIR KAUR, Ludhiana

Beating the fog I was travelling by car on the night between the 26th and 27th of December between Jalandhar and Chandigarh. We were told to avoid Ropar and take the GT Road. There was no visibility on this highway and we saw several serious accidents on the way. No signs, readable in fog, were visible throughout. We passed through Doraha, Khanna, Gobindgarh and Sirhind, but could not find readable signs during the foggy night. In Rajpura the sign visibility was slightly better and we could read one sign for Chandigarh. With great difficulty we negotiated the turn for Chandigarh. The journey, which should have lasted two hours took the whole night. If the conditions on our most important highway are so appalling, what will be the condition of our less important roads? I have a suggestion. We should put powerful lights at important intersections. Fog-resistant lights are available, which are expensive, but necessary. We must realise that the safety of life and limb of our travelling public is very important. HARJAP SINGH AUJLA, New Jersey, USA

Forensic experts

India is already short of forensic medico-legal experts (“Back from the brink”, Dec 30). The administration of justice feels handicapped without the able assistance of such experts in solving heinous crimes. A non-functional mortuary in a new medical college hampers the study of medical students in medico-legal autopsies. Criminal justice would have been seriously hampered by the closure of the study of forensic science.

The apex court has often lambasted the police and the state over ineffective investigation and presentation of challans which lead to acquittal of even known criminals. The lower conviction rate in criminal cases can be solely and directly attributed to the lack of scientific investigation, bad police practices and an inability to conduct solid forensic investigation. Where police officers fail to detect and nab the criminal, the role of forensic experts starts.

I would suggest that autopsies should be allowed in good private medical colleges and hospitals also for making this branch to be attractive.

AJAY K. JINDAL, Ludhiana

Rights and Naxalites

I fully agree with the spirit of your editorial “No mercy for Naxalites”. There should be no mercy for the Maoists. Violence has no place in a democratic set-up

But  in the field of human rights we should emulate the democratic countries  The West was totally against Chairman Mao and his guerrillas. Still a Canadian doctor, Henry Norman Bothume, treated the guerrillas of Mao. Dr Norman was honoured both by the West and China. We should have the same standards in regard to Dr Binayak Sen and he should not be imprisoned for life

AMARJIT SINGH GORAYA, Griffith NSW, Australia

Change in police?

I couldn’t help but smile in disgust to read the report “Winds of change blow through state police” (Dec 31). How about improving the quality of service to the Punjabi people who pay for all these promotions and perks twice – first by paying taxes and then by stuffing their deep pockets.

AVTAR SINGH, Toronto

India way behind

One sees the same poor state of functioning and efficiency at Indian airports even when there is no fog (editorial “Chaos at airports”, Dec 29). The new T3 terminal at Delhi airport is equipped with world-class infrastructure but the officials manning it lack the world-class helpful attitude.

This reminds me of a middle “The British way” by Mr P.Lal, a retired DGP, (Dec20). He admiringly recalls how his already checked-in baggage was recalled, his left-out weapon put in and the suitcase reloaded with utmost care by British Airways at Heathrow airport.

It would be a miracle if such a thing happens at Delhi airport. My elder daughter, who is in Canada, once said that India will take another 50 years to catch up with western countries. She now wants to revise it to 100 years.

Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd.), Jalandhar

Wrong information

An article in a national daily (not The Tribune) points out that the annual consumption of pesticides in India is 75 million tonnes. The official figure of pesticide consumption was 43,630 metric tonnes during 2007-08. Sometimes, writers do not have in-depth knowledge of issues related to agriculture and quote wrong information. My suggestion to the print media is to verify the facts before publishing misleading information.

M.S. SIDHU, Professor & Head, Deptt. of Economics & Sociology, PAU, Ludhiana