A Father, A Sister, A Mother

They say middle-class India, particularly Delhi, is immune to shockingoutrages and crime involving PLTs (people like them). But three shocking casesof (PLUs) people like us in Delhi had brought out the middle-class outragespilling onto the streets. After all, those killed all belonged to solid Delhimiddle-class —Priyadarshini Mattoorape and murder case in 1995, Jessica Lall murder case of 1999 and Nitish Kataramurder case of 2002— and in all three cases the accused had been allowed toget away, literally, with murder. In all three, the accused were sons ofpowerful and the rich — of Delhi's top cop in the first case, and politiciansin the other two.

Some called it the Rang De Basanti syndrome which brought out thepublic outrage spilling onto the streets. But perhaps it was the acquittal ofManu Sharma on 21 February early this year. The trial court had held that the police had failed to prove its caseagainst the accused. An immediate public outcry followed, which was backed up bymedia and resulted in high-profile signature-campaigns, candle-light protests,demonstrations and charged discussions. Those in public spotlight, demandingjustice were a father (Chaman Lal Mattoo, whose wife had passed on since themurder of their daughter Priyadarshini), a sister (Sabrina Lall, who had lostboth her parents weighed down by the death of their daughter Jessica) and amother (Neelam Katara, a single parent as she had lost her husband before herson Nitish's brutal murder).

Almost two months back, on October 17,  it was an old father whose plea for justice for his murdereddaughter was answered. It was the turn of a sister to feel vindicated today bythe same Delhi Hight Court Bench. A mother awaits her turn for justice. Perhapsshe found some hope from Manu Sharma's conviction today, and also some comfortfrom Sabrina Lall who told her, "Never give up hope. Keep fighting".

Sabrina Lall, sister of Jessica Lall:  "It's a vindication for all of us. It is a veryemotional day for me. We are missing mom and dad. It is a very good day for thefamily. There is a feeling of victory and vindication. It has been a long fightbut the end result has been amazing." 

Neelam Katara, mother of Nitish Katara: My faith in the judiciary hasbeen strengthened. Other citizens can also draw confidence from the case andcome forth and fight for justice. This will have an impact in our case also. Thejudgment shows the past history of Vikas Yadav and I believe that the court willkeep this in mind (in the Nitish Katara murder case). I know how it feels. Youlose your loved one and then you have to struggle for justice. Had Jessica'smother and father been alive, they would have been happy today that finallyjustice has prevailed. I believe this will bring peace to their souls. My sonwould have fought for me had something like this happened to me. I have faith inGod"

Bina Ramani, key witness: "Finally, a whole new life is to begin. There should be strongprotection for witnesses and I will be on the forefront to create some kind ofplatform. There would be no Zaheera Sheikhs and Shayan Munshis [who turnedhostile, see below] if we have more protection for the witnesses. It's a wholenew life for me. Finally truth has come out. I want to start working withchildren, on AIDS and destitute women.

Kamini Jaiswal, lawyer, 'Justice for Jessica' campaign: "This judgementvindicates how important it is for people to come together. The High Court hasnot taken any additional evidence. This judgement could have come earlier. Howcould the trial court acquit him.

Dhruv Suri, coordinator, United Students: "If you ask for somethingfair, you will get what you deserve. We asked for a fair trial and if that leadsto conviction, then be it so. I didn’t know Jessica or Priyadarshini Mattoo.It doesn’t matter what relationship you have with the person. I just wanted tomake sure justice gets done."