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Welcome verdict

The Supreme Court verdict sentencing Zahira Sheikh, key witness in the Best Bakery case, to one year imprisonment and fining her Rs.50,000 for contempt of court is commendable. Mark Twain said: "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." Nonetheless, truth always triumphs and this will echo in the ears of Zahira forever.

V.U.V.S.N. Prasad,
Hyderabad

* * *

While the sentence may appear harsh, Zahira deserves it. She changed her story often in a sensitive case that bothered the entire nation. She was also an embarrassment to the judiciary, which ordered a retrial of the case outside Gujarat.

But the larger issue is adequate and timely protection to witnesses. The case also reinforces the need for speedy trials to minimise the possibility of manipulation.

Inamdar Ramachandra,
Bangalore

* * *

Delays are the stumbling blocks to effective justice. Amidst all this, the Supreme Court's verdict on Zahira breathes fresh air into the system thus assuring the common man that justice does come, even if it comes late.

Arun Dash,
Hyderabad

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