Shortly, after the verdict in the Neeraj Grover murder case was announced, a series of mixed emotions flowed in the courtroom
Shortly, after the verdict in the Neeraj Grover murder case was announced, a series of mixed emotions flowed in the courtroom.
While the prosecution was disappointed with the lighter sentence, the defence counsels were pleased with the judgment.
u00a0
For three years the advocates have fought tooth and nail in the courtroom trying to prove the sequence of events that transpired on May 7, 2008 in Maria Susairaj's flat in Malad.
The fact that Grover was murdered was undisputed, but the circumstantial evidence in the case and the lack of eyewitnesses plagued the proceedings that drew to a close yesterday.
Advocate Ramakant V Kini
(Chief public prosecutor Sessions Court)
Circumstantial evidence
Prosecution has proved its case and the judge has accepted all the facts, except the intention to murder and the conspiracy. Our case was based on circumstantial evidence, as there was no eyewitness who could narrate the incident and sequence of events that transpired inside the flat. Therefore, we relied upon Maria's confessional statement.
Unhappy with judgment
As far as the judgment is concerned we are not happy with it. We still believe that this is a clear-cut case of murder and not of culpable homicide. We will certainly challenge it in the High Court. However, the grounds would be decided only after we get the copy of the judgment.
Advocate Abdul Wahab Khan
(Defence lawyer for Emile Jerome)
Pleased with judgment
We are happy that the serious and sensational allegation of murder has been dropped against my client. The prosecution was trying to prove that his intentions were evil, but they were not able to.
High court appeal
We have not decided about going for an appeal against this judgment as of yet. It is too premature to comment on that just as yet. However, after the pronouncement of the sentence, I will discuss the course of action with my client and proceed accordingly.
Advocate Sharif Shaikh
(Defence advocate for Maria Susairaj)
Appeal against conviction
Though my client has been held guilty for a lighter crime, the stigma of conviction will haunt her and stay with her for her entire life. She will be out soon after the quantum of sentence, as she has already undergone maximum punishment of three years. After which we will definitely go in appeal against this judgment in High court.
In self-defence
There are a lot of judgments from the Supreme Court that support the stance that if a person commits a crime due to a threat to his or her life, then the person is not guilty of this crime. The confessional statement, which the court has accepted, proves that there was a threat to her life, and therefore she should be acquitted.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
