“On the side of justice”

I was disturbed to read Kobad Ghandy’s letter ("On the side of justice,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, June 7, 2011). I do not know Ghandy personally, but I am disturbed by the fact that though he has been in prison for over 18 months charges have not yet been framed. India boasts of having democracy and freedom but here is an instance where a person’s liberty has been taken away and he is made to languish behind bars without being proved guilty. This is tantamount to punishment even before the court pronounces its verdict.

I cannot imagine a fellow Zoroastrian locked up inside Tihar Jail, said to be hell on earth. Our community has a galaxy of legal luminaries practicing in the apex court. As one concerned with the plight of a fellow religionist, I appeal to them to plead on Ghandy’s behalf so that he does not have to await a fair trial till the end of his life. I request them to at least read his case papers to glean the facts and then act. Is there no time limit in the Criminal Procedure Code within which the police are required to file charges? To put a man behind bars for an indefinite period without a trial is a breach of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

I am really pleased to learn that Parsiana is sent to Ghandy free of cost.

HOMI DALAL

homeedalal@gmail.com