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Kudos to Justice P K Khode, the presiding judge over the specially
constituted TADA (Terrorism and Anti-Disruptive Activities Act) Court.
He sent 14 to the gallows and many others including Sanjay Dutt, to
varying terms of Rigorous Imprisonment (in India it means prison
sentences with hard labor - none of that TV watching and Pizza eating
as in Canadian correctional facilities).
They deserved it, every one of them. Even the main conspirator's
brother a chartered accountant who arranged for the finances and the
air tickets to Pakistani training camps and to Dubai to flee after the
dastardly acts in March 1993. Despite his wife's pleas that Yacub
Memon the brother of Tiger Memon had nothing to do with his brother's
planning.
To those who are wondering, this was the single day of the Bombay
bombings episodes, widely spread and coordinated, that resulted in
scores of innocent deaths. Cars and scooters filled with RDX and
remotely exploded along with a few grenades. The brainchild of a
terrorist and city criminal gang nexus that was organized apparently
in retaliation for the Babri Masjid affair.
The judgements of Khode are a joy to read. Simple, without too much
legalese but soundly based in the prevailing law and precedent. It has
to be, to avoid overturn on appeal. His interaction with the witnesses
and accused was fair but strict. After all his had to be the voice of
justice for the victims who needed to be heard from the graves.
Here's an interesting exchange with Sanjay Dutt:
Dutt: I need to be given relief from serving my sentence in prison your honor.
Khode: I have been lenient with you before. I have allowed you bail to
shoot your films all these years and you used the time successfully to
make them hits.
Sanjay: You have been more than family to us accused over the last 10
years your honor.
Khode: This is not personal. It is my job to be fair. Just as it is to
hand you down this sentence to be served for the next 6 years in
prison. Don't get sentimental. You committed a grave crime, involved
others in that crime and now you must pay for it.
I was once a spectator at a TADA hearing in Arthur Road jail about 5
years ago. Spectators are not generally allowed. Neither in the
general prison premises where the hearings took place nor in the
actual TADA court itself. But a law school friend with whom I am still
in contact for the past 26 odd years, managed to get a word in with
Khode, telling him I was a Canadian and alumni of the Govt law
college. Khode graciously allowed me in.
My experiences of that day will have to await another post.
On 7/31/07, JoeGoaUk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Lage Raho Munabai fame Bollywood actor, son of late MP Sunil Duth ("Mera Gaum
> Mera Desh" fame
> and late Nargis ("Mother India" Fame) Mr. Sunil Dutt sentenced to 6 yrs in
> prison by the TADA
> court for the crime/offence that took place 14 years ago.
> What you feel about this?
> Did he deserve this punishment? Why?
> Your feedback welcome.
