Raj often felt ashamed that we really don't respect judges and never mind talking ill about a person and group. I don't understand how we can honor the verdict of the court if we don't believe in them. But then it's our character and Englishmen ruled over us for more than a hundred years by using our weakness combined with the 'Divide and Rule' policy. This is prevailing in offices and organization today in this country.'
He looked at the face of the judge who was wearing a flat expression and immediately he realised own mistake. He was happy that Judge didn't say the next day he would pass the order. This meant he was having a chance to argue his points.
He came out of court and sat down on a bench which was vacated by some culprit whose hands were tied with rope and was being led by a constable who was holding the other end. Wife met him outside court in tears and looked more sad than him. His relative was asking an advocate if today he could be granted bail.
'It can't be definite as this fellow at one stage slipped and accepted that he stabbed a man who later died in hospital. He was to tell the opposite and nobody could be sure about his identity due to darkness in the street. It was his first crime so he got nervous. Don't worry he will be more confident to speak lies before the judge next time,' told the advocate.
'Don't say this sir? My family will be ruined,' said the weeping wife.
'Your family is already ruined with this first crime. Crime is more intoxicating than liquor which forces people to commit more heinous crimes. This has been my experience in the last twenty years as a criminal lawyer. I always try to get dates and prolong the case for years. But this time you pay double as this fool has made it a serious case and it will need strong pleading. Normally judges respect my experience and obey what I say,' replied the advocate and was stopped by the young woman.
'Sir it will take some time to arrange money. Tonight I can spend the night with you to get a concession in payment.' She pleaded.
'You wait outside and I will tell you what to do.' He said and went inside the court. The woman felt some relief. Husband came near her and hit hard on head with steel handcuff. She started bleeding profusely. There was chaos and police ran near the spot. Man's eyes were burning red and popping out of the socket.
Later he started crying and said, 'I am today standing handcuffed for this lady. She was flirting with her boyfriend and invited him to sleep when I worked in a factory. My neighbor informed me. I saw with my own eyes and stabbed the fellow. Now I have no desire to survive.'
It was pathetic and gruesome. Advocate returned from court and asked, 'What happened?' 'Now this man can only be given life imprisonment.' Injured lady was moved to the hospital.
Tea hawker came and Raja asked for a cup of tea which was given in a plastic cup if small size and charged five rupees. Raja looked at the innocent face of the boy who took money and went ahead to serve others. One advocate told him about the incident casually and Raja heard inattentively. He felt he may also turn criminal one day fighting his case. He felt very weak and dejected and wanted to run away.
Raja thought, 'This is normal in this court. One has to adjust to nasty words and phrases spoken frequently. He was getting disgusted and thought God should take the life of a thief who stole him under conditions never imagined in life.
He recalled his air-conditioned office and disciplined staff who were ready to serve him anything in order and also ensure all conveniences. He felt like crying and got up quickly to walk down the stairs.
While running down he collided with a young woman and thought some abuse was going to be hurled. It appeared that the young lady was also habituated to this and she went up without looking at him.
Someone from her back called, 'Kim wait, I am also coming. You are running as if you will be missing a date and he shall be angry. He has been arrested because of you and now you can't help him as your father has charged him with abduction.'
Raja stopped for a moment to look back but he couldn't see her face. The name also belonged to one known family member. He again thought, 'Today is my torture day and I am listening all that was never expected. Am I being led to hell?' He was also thinking about Selena and Manish in the lonely house. He doubted his wife making elder sister sick to enjoy with her old love Manish who planned to own properties of father in law in total. It was also true that Selena will be used for business purpose like Jyoti and finally get pushed into water pool after giving big quantity of drug. Manish was trading in drug and was in contact of Tommy.
He now wanted to go home but the tea shop owner was waiting for and called him. He didn't want to be discourteous and went. He offered tea as usual which he declined, telling that he already had from the vending boy. Shop owner informed me that the boy was working with him.
'Come sit for some time. I was told by an advocate that you argued well today and the judge was moved by your words. That is the reason he has given you the date of the day after tomorrow. He would have heard from you tomorrow, but he has to show the District Judge that you are being given normal treatment. I am sure he must not have heard what you said today and he must set to thinking,' the shop owner said.
Raja said, 'I thought otherwise as despite telling everything no legal references were made which is more important to convince the judge. They don't have time to refer to documents or previous verdicts.'
'No you are not right. It is a simple case and all facts are known to judge beforehand. But the background of the case that happened was never told to the judge and mostly they decide on arguments of advocates. I am sure this case is going to be in your favor,' the shop owner repeated.
Raja felt relieved and decided to have another cup of tea. He must hide many chod of tea from wife who has put an embargo. He didn't bother about this under a elated mood created just now. He thanked tea shop owner and made payment and moved.
Raja was feeling low again but walked away looking at the tea shop owner who winked asking him to ignore remarks. He was moving with heavy steps when he saw the lawyer who was pleading the case from the opposite side and representing the government. Then came the sub-inspector with a cunning smile and both were holding hands on the shoulders of a small sized man very lean and thin. This heroic man was wearing a green handkerchief around his neck and was chewing betel vigorously and looked very nervous.
'Munna are you prepared to pay money? A Short verdict will be out and we have to pay the presiding officer in time. He patiently hears all bullshit being uttered by the mad Professor. I don't know how universities appoint such useless teachers. These idiots can't plead a case to the point, what knowledge they can impart to students. Now I know why my son fails in examinations. It's good of the university that supplementary is allowed till they pass. I hope after seven years he will pass his three years degree course.
It's also good that you left study after matriculation and became a mechanic at an auto shop. Now you can make thousands in no time and also avail pretty girls from high class families who are always craving to experience life before getting bound in marriage.'
Sub-inspector intervened, 'Persons like you are responsible for growing crimes in society. You indulge with call girls mostly brought by this rogue. You may not know that this fellow also sleeps with your daughter and wife in your quarters only. I have seen them and they invited me also. I hate the thought itself.'
'Seems you have earned enough money and don't deserve pardon. Tomorrow itself I will tell the court that the thief is roaming around the court freely and police are not arresting him to present before court,' threatened the lawyer.
'Bravo man you do it tomorrow itself and see the result. I will take you to lock up before you piss even in the morning along with that whore you have been sleeping with,' replied the sub-inspector.
It was a public debate and many gathered. One advocate moved forward and intervened, 'you are quarrelling like hutment laborers. Respect your dignity and don't endanger bread earning. Who was responsible for this?'
Both looked around and didn't find Munna who vanished the moment their fight started. The advocate showed a finger to Raja and said, 'he is the person who has made all of us crazy. This bull has been sitting in the court for the last few weeks and making us tense unnecessarily.'
'Non sense! That stupid professor, who only delivers good and fluent speech, can't harm anyone. Also he has aged and naturally must be crazy. This is a natural phenomenon. He deserves sympathy for losing mental balance after being ignored by wife.'
'Come have a cup of tea to cool down in the shop of Baba who gives patronage to this man.'
Raja felt like kicking two lawyers and tried to move. But Baba stopped him and asked to sit for some more time. They came for tea and Baba said, 'Sorry, milk is spoiled and it will take some time to make tea. I have sent the boy to get a few pouches. Both looked at him with a stern look and walked away to another tea kiosk and started taking tea. The sub-inspector came ashamedly and asked, 'are you not giving me tea?'
'Why not, you are my most honored guest and we don't want to go to lock up.'
'Forget this. I also lost my balance in this case. It is lingering for a long time and no money is coming in hand. I have to buy a laptop as a birthday gift for my daughter. She reminds me day and night making life difficult. This Munna fellow has become over smart and doesn't get money for us. He said that his gang was not allowing him to operate and the present case gets closed in some way.
'What? How has this case become a VIP case? Who is such a man close to this professor?' asked Baba.
'The case was referred to the Superintendent of Police by SSP. His daughter has to clear her MBA so that she gets married to a boy selected for her. Now we can't take a chance? Only SSP can give instructions to get the case closed. Till then we have to watch like fools. It appears that somehow Munna has come to know and he is dodging,' told the sub-inspector. All looked very sad as if they were dead bodies.
'I will buy a laptop for your daughter as a birthday gift. I can't give you money which is against my principle. You produce Munna in court the next day. Rest I will take care. I know SSP well who is close to my brother-in-law.' Raja told the Sub Inspector.
'Sorry sir, it will be betrayal to partners in dealings. You have to find some other way.' Policeman walked away.