Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

BMW case

After a prolonged and tortuous delay, the Additional District and Sessions Court in Delhi has found Sanjeev Nanda, the high-profile accused in the BMW hit-and-run case, guilty of culpable homicide. Since rich and powerful poeple were involved in the case, the print and electronic media gave wide coverage to it. But what about thousands of similar cases which either do not come to courts at all or find no space in the media because they do not interest the people?

It is time to reflect on our criminal investigation system. By the time a case comes to a conclusion, there are many twists and turns thanks to prolonged investigations, umpteen adjournments, witnesses turning hostile and other not-so-fair methods adopted in the course of the hearing. Criminal cases should come to trial courts within six months of the date of commission of a crime. Except in rare cases, bail should not be granted to the accused.

K. Venkataraman,

Mumbai

The verdict in the BMW case, though inordinately delayed as usual, is indeed welcome. The media deserve praise for their tireless efforts in reporting the progress of the case, including the twists and turns. The judgment, delayed but not denied, has reinforced the people’s faith in the judiciary.

R.C. Prakash,

Tiruchi

The families of the innocent pavement dwellers and policemen who were run over by Nanda can heave a sigh of relief at the end of their nine-year-long trauma.

V. Varun,

Madurai

That the accused managed to prolong the case for nine years through various dubious means is a sad commentary on the criminal justice delivery system.

It is heartening that, at last, justice has been rendered in the case. The fourth estate’s role in exposing the manipulations of the rich and powerful deserves appreciation.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,

Srirangam

The sentencing of Sanjeev Nanda after a protracted legal battle has met the ends of justice. But the pace at which the case proceeded is a matter of concern.

Such delay in high-profile cases will only encourage the accused to influence witnesses and tamper with evidence.

A.S. Farida,

Kancheepuram

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