Apropos M J Antony’s column “When wheels of justice clog” (Out of Court, February 12), I wish to recount my experiences as a witness in one diamond case. Over a period of 34 years, I have been called to the court eight times for cross-examination. On my seventh visit, I found that the judge was a lady. It seemed she hadn’t joined the service long ago. I was nearing retirement and so, I took courage and even from the witness box, I said, “Your ladyship, can I tell you something?” She said, “Yes.” I said, “Heraclitus had said, ‘One cannot step into the same river twice.’ In my case, I cannot see the same judge twice. Each time I appeared in the court for this particular case, I met a new judge.” She smiled and did not take it amiss — thankfully. The case is in its 35th year now. There are many witnesses in this case, and there are innumerable cases like this. In this light, I would suggest that a separate bench should be reserved for all cases that are more than 20-year old. After my retirement, I have appeared as a witness 14 times at different locations. I am afraid I might be summoned even when I am 99, since there are many pending cases where I am a witness.
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Sukumar Mukhopadhyay, New Delhi
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number