‘Mom, I’ll be back in 2 hours: those words still haunt me’
JUSTICE Mother of physiotherapist, whose ordeal rocked India, says battle was tough but thoughts of her daughter in her final hours kept her going She was my brave girl and took care of everyone in the family. And I could not even give her a few drops of water in her last hours. This judgment has given me a strong hope that my daughter will get justice. I am now hopeful that if someone commits a crime, he will be punished.
off. Also, despite the verdict by two courts, including the high court, the Supreme court took nine months to uphold the death sentence decision. Every day I had to prove that my daughter was subjected to brutality and that she was not the one who was wrong here. How I felt through those hearings is almost impossible to describe. Earlier, I used to cry in proceedings when I heard arguments by the defence lawyers trying to put the blame on my daughter. But, later I realised I had to be strong. The Supreme Court’s verdict came in our favour and we climbed another step towards justice. This decision has given us hope. It has reinforced my faith in the judiciary. No not at all. This battle is just half won. This judgment has given me a strong hope that my daughter will get justice. I am now hopeful that if someone commits a crime, he will be punished. It may take time but justice will be done. It is very difficult, but possible.
Now, this fight is not just about my daughter anymore. So many such cases have been lingering in the court for the past 10 years. Like this case was tried in a fast track court, there were regular weekly hearing, still it took more than four years to reach a conclusion. In the Supreme Court, it took nine months despite the high court giving its judgment in our favour. So, I feel that all rape cases should be tried in fast track courts. Also the Supreme Court too should not take this long. We can understand that the lower court may take time, but when the high court too gave its decision, they why take so long. The fight is on and I am ready to take up any challenge that comes our way. They may approach whoever, but I am certain that they will be hanged. The way the judge explained the intricacies of the case and put it forward before us, nothing could have been better. They just did not pronounce these men guilty, but through the judgment, sent across a wider message.
Through the judgment, they explained how parents should give good moral values to their children, how they should teach them to respect women in general.
First, if they file a plea for mercy we have to challenge that in court. And I will do anything to make sure they are hanged. I have reached this far and there is no going back from here.
Also, another important mission is to help and support rape victims. Serious efforts need to be made to make sure that these victims get justice.