Bhopal Verdict

Again at the cost of gaoing against popular opinion, I don't think you can’t apply different yardsticks just because the accused is rich. We had an unfortunate air crash couple of days ago, no one asked the minister to be charged. This was a case of gross negligence, criminal negligence. But however hard it may sound, only negligence. And if it a negligence, our law has 2 years imprisonment, and a bail till the case is in motion. Even If you make negligence a tougher crime, it will apply to crimes committed afterwards, not retrospectively. This is the price that a civil society has to pay for being civil.

But at the same time we need to learn our lessons. For once we need to expedite our judicial processes. In this case there must have been atleast 2000 witnesses. 10 per day makes 200 days. Since lower courts are crowded, you can’t have more than 1 hearing a month. You can’t resolve in less than 20 years. This is what needs to change. Take all statements over net/post/telegram, publish in news papers. Allow a month to contest, a month for review. And you complete the proceedings in 6 months, rather than 20 years. This a again the duty of civil society for remaining civil.

We just can’t blame everything on our weak and defenseless system, but continuously find ways to improve. I do agree with having tougher laws for such negligent acts, but don’t agree with the witch hunting that is being applied as a bandage solution to the same.