Lovely thread so far 👏
Akshara and Neil were dealing with a life and death emergency situation that could not have been avoided. They were outside the house because Akshara had belly pains. On their way back they were encountered with an unimaginable life and death situation for themselves and the girls. I have always been of the opinion that they could have been more strategic and smart, but it was an impossible situation that resulted in a tragic outcome.
If the makers wanted to parallel that with Abhinav's death, then at least show some form of life and death situation. Or at least some form of emergency situation. Here Abhimanyu is quite literally taking Abhinav away from the resort to do an activity that is completely unnecessary, and that too, in the middle of the day. There is no adrenaline rush, no split-second decisions to be made, no emergencies or life-threatening situations to deal with.
This exact sequence could also be shown after the surprise party, no? Why must they show day drinking? Abhinav has a semblance of an excuse because he assumed his birthday celebration was done. He celebrated with his wife at midnight and then the entire family in the morning and at lunch. But Abhimanyu knew about the surprise night party. In fact, HE planned it. How much sense does it make for me to plan a whole party for a loved one, engage my entire family in it, and then take the guest of honour out to get inebriated hours before the party?
Also, someone mentioned today's events not amounting to a murder case, which I agree with. To prove murder, you need to prove intent. Something that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Abhimanyu took Abhinav to the cliff with the intention of killing him. However, I think there is a case to be made of negligence or depraved indifference. Basically manslaughter instead of murder. Anyone with law credentials, please do chime in. These are just my thoughts.
And before anyone counters saying that Akshara could also be charged with negligence or manslaughter when it comes to Neil's death, please refer to the differences I've outlined above. Akshara and Neil acted like good samaritans in a emergency situation. There is no such case in today's sequence.
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