Arushi & Hemraj murder mystery and the shoddy investigation report of elite investigating agency looks more like a Hindi film story. An ideal masala for a commercial film. Today on the television shows both the parties were trying hard to prove their point. Although neighter me nor the CBI is aware about the intent or the culprit.
For the media and the most of the audience it is a case for justice for a young girl and a domestic help. I believe that the most of my fellow country men also share the same thoughts. They would surely join the chorus of the media for the delivery of justice sooner than later. Although I am standing in the same crowd but my insatiable mind is rewinding various criminal cases in my proximity in the past.
For instance, Nadeem Alam's death in AMU police firing in 1996. The police and CBI investigated for almost 10 years with out reaching to any conclusion. The case went to Supreme Court but because of weak investigation report none of the accused was convicted.
Recent acquittal of Dr Javed Akhtar's son by the court in Delhi Blast case. Police and the ATS incorrectly charged him for his links with Delhi blast but the court acquitted him as the case was fraudulent. Dr Mohd Saleem and his family murder cases, where the CBI was called in after hard work but here again CBI and the police failed to figure out any clue. The investigation as well as the case is pending since the last 10 years.
In another instance of wrong or no investigation, dacioti case at one of my friend's house. When my friend went to police to file the FIR for the dacioti, the police instead of investigating the case arrested him along with a friend who went with him. Then he had to give handsome bribe to get himself out of the case. Later neither the case was investigated by the police nor the case was pursed by his family.
If you wish to pick the cases of national importance like Mecca Masjid Blast accused, Samjhuta Express blast accused, Malegaon etc. The list of shoddy and false investigations by the our agencies is very long. The condition is such that a normal civilian fears more from police than criminals. There is dual fear from police and investigation agencies, one that they might rob us, and other they would falsely implicated us and it will take years to come out of their grip.
Therefore I feel the time is ripe for the country to introspect the way criminal cases are investigated in India. If the agencies like CBI and IB are not able to resolve small murder cases like the ones mentioned, then how can we expect these elite agencies to resolve the serious crimes like terrorism and naxalism.
With my minimal understanding of the system, I draw two inferences; first, that these agencies are not good enough to even investigate minor cases. Or these agencies are political tools to misguide the nation with some confusing facts, so that the complex criminal justice system can be failed.
This continuous failures and incorrect accusations are diluting our faith in the system. It is hurting more to those who are either economically or politically marginalized. I hope that some one in the government has the will and acumen to change the way these agencies work, before it is too late and it completely paralysis the delivery of justice India.
Published in Milli Gazette 17 Feb 2011
