Chapter 2

Chapter 6: Adalat

" And so Your Honor...All evidence against my client is purely circumstantial. She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." Bhumi concluded her opening argument. " Nicely said ....Mrs. Acharya.....But incorrect nevertheless. Why, there is the little matter of Ms. Singh herself accepting her culpability." "Which we have already deemed inadmissible in court because tests prove that she was under the influence of hallucinogens." "She is a substance abuser then." "No she is not....It has been proved conclusively that her food and drink in the preceding party had been tampered with. And the case is not whether or not she is a substance abuser, it is whether she, in full possession of her senses and cold bloodedly injured Mr. Hrishikesh Deshmukh. The presence of drugs counter those charges and I plead with the law to dismiss this case. " Bhumi said, striving to control her cool now.

"Aha...but there you are wrong Mrs. Acharya. Your honor, we have been informed that there is an eyewitness. We have subpoenaed him and he is present here...." Mr Duha made a dramatic gesture, pointing towards
Abhir, causing Bhumi to roll her eyes. "I would request your permission to call him to the witness box and ask him to testify against Ms. Singh." " I object." "And why would that be Mrs. Acharya?" Mr. Duha asked Bhumi with a smug smile. "You cannot make a husband testify against his wife." Bhumi answered sweetly.

For a minute the whole court was hush. Mr. Duha, who was in the middle of cleaning his myopic lens with a cloth, continued the motion mechanically. "Mr. Duha......." the judge's cautious voice seem to bring the petrified man back into the present. "What rubbish......Everyone knows Ms. Singh is unmarried." "I don't think Pari discusses her marital life with you or anyone for that matter Mr. Duha. " "This is a lie and fabrication. Where are the legal documents proving the same?" "They were turned in to the bailiff before the beginning of the session. Along with other evidence. " "You are supposed to disclose any such fact beforehand...." "I am supposed to disclose this only if you are to call my client's spouse to the fore." "When and where did the marriage take place?" "Not pertinent to the case." "I challenge the credibility of this marriage." File another case....It is not pertinent to this one." "Why doesn't she live with her husband?" "That is not pertinent to the case." "Why did she marry him." This time the judge reprimanded Mr. Duha with a severe "Not pertinent to the case."

Mr. Duha was clearly non plussed. "Your honor, the entire case for prosecution rests on Mr. Abhir's testimony. I need to challenge the validity of this 'purported' marriage between Miss Singh and Mr.Bhasin." he began. "Objection Your Honor. To the insinuation of discrediting my client and her belief in the sacred institution of marriage. " "Ha ...sacred institution...We all know how you Viranis treat......" "Silence Mr.Duha.....No libel will be tolerated. Do you have any more arguments to make on the prosecution's behalf ?" " No your honor.....But I surely would like an investigation into this marriage angle...." " Case dismissed." the judge's authoritative voice roared out.

The entire Virani clan jumped up as one as the policewoman escorted Pari outside. Varying emotions, relief, joy, happiness, triumph, predominantly registered on almost every Virani face " Thanks Di...Thanks ....." Pari was still not entirely convinced that the trial was over. She sensed familiar hugs. And then felt an acute feeling of awareness as Abhir took her hand in his and guided her to his car parked right outside the courthouse with a gentle "Ghar chale...Angelface?"
anut39216.9570833333