I have lost faith in judicial system, says victim’s father

GURURGAM: The family of the Class 2 student whose throat was slit in the toilet of a school in Bhondsi on September 8 last year said they were shocked, disappointed with the Punjab and Haryana high court’s decision to not try the 17-year-old accused as an adult.

Dismayed by the order, the father of the victim said he will file a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the high court order. “I will leave no stone unturned to ensure the accused does not walk scot-free from the court,” said the father.

“The case has taken a U-turn and there are possibilities that the accused, who is lodged in the observation home, will now be granted bail. We have ended up in the same place from where we had started a year ago,” he said.

The high court bench of justice Daya Chaudhary had reserved the order on September 17 after hearing both sides and asked them to file their written arguments in the court.

The family said that their hopes were dashed as they were hoping that accused would be convicted soon, but the decision had shaken their faith in the judicial system.

“Today I agree and support the families who say that justice is only for rich people. I have lost faith and trust in the entire judiciary,” said father of the victim.

On September 8, last year the murder of class 2 student had elicited fear among the parents and students, who continued to protest for several days. The incident also led to several changes in safety arrangement in private schools across the country.

“Now, the case will not be transferred to CBI court, Panchkula and the supplementary charge sheet, which is ready, will be kept on hold. The entire process will restart and the juvenile will get benefit despite being an accused,” said mother of the victim.