Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Power of the media

Life sentence to Manu Sharma for the murder of Jessica Lal shows what media attention, which was largely responsible for the reopening of the case of shoddy investigation, on an issue can do (editorial "A capacity for self-correction," Dec. 21). While this augurs well for the country's future, one is left wondering how many cases can be brought to the nation's attention. The criminal justice system cannot always be influenced by public opinion, which is shaped by how the media report cases.

N. Sivaraman,
Maraimalai Nagar, T.N.

In the collective celebration over the Delhi High Court's handling and disposal of the case, no one seems to be paying attention to the deteriorating standards and lack of consistency in the lower judiciary. It was fortuitous that media attention and public outcry helped in bringing the culprits to justice in this particular case.

K. Padmanabhan,
Chennai

Is it practicable for the people and the media to take up the cudgels for all victims all the time? The remedial measure should not stop with the conclusion of the Jessical Lal case. Severe action must be taken against all those who connived in scuttling justice during the trial in lower court.

Varsha Mohan,
Chennai

In most of the criminal cases that involve a fight between the rich and the poor, the latter cannot afford to engage eminent lawyers and justice eludes them. The rich, particularly those connected to politicians and bureaucrats, go scot-free. In the Jessica Lal murder case, the vigilant fourth estate kept the case alive and prevented a miscarriage of justice. How many can be fortunate enough to engage the attention of the press so relentlessly?

K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan

The verdict has reinforced the fact that a criminal, however powerful, cannot escape from the law. It is also a lesson for the police who tried to hush up the case.

Suhail Sabir,
Aligarh

The verdict is a landmark in the annals of judicial history. The fact that 31 witnesses turned hostile is shocking. The High Court action in issuing notices to them is welcome. The editorial rightly points out that the threat of retaliation is a major problem in cases involving the rich and powerful. A credible witness protection mechanism is indeed the need of the hour.

V.V. Raghava Rao,
Guntur

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