by Shilpa Jain
Defence lawyer: Okay sir. Although I can prove that five lives were at stake in that situation and killing the tantric killers was justifiable in self-defence, I will stick to my client’s request to plead not guilty. I ask permission to call village head of Badalgaon to the evidence box.
Judge: Permission granted.
Village head takes an oath of telling the truth.
Defence lawyer: Mr Tambe, can you please tell the court what you saw at the crime site in the cremation ground?
Village head: A woman in a black robe was standing with a stone in her hand and was about to kill the tantric killer.
Defence lawyer: Please note sir. He said he saw her standing with a stone, not actually striking anyone. Did she kill him… er… kill her?”
Village head: No sir, she escaped on seeing us.
Defence lawyer: So, you did not actually see her striking any of the dead men.
Village head: No, I didn’t.
Defence lawyer: Given the distance, the fog and the dark new moon night, was it possible for any of you to differentiate between a tantric’s robe and a burqa killer’s robe? And was she wearing a veil?
Village head: No sir… er… I am not sure if she was wearing a veil.
Defence lawyer: Sir, point to be noted down.
Judge: I’ll note down what I have to. You don’t have to teach me my work. These godforsaken Bollywood movies…
Defence lawyer: Did you see Tanvi in the burqa?
Village head: No, it was too dark. It was Amavasya and we were quite far when she escaped.
Defence lawyer: Point to be… um… never mind. So, you did not see anybody killing anybody. You all assumed that Tanvi was the burqa killer because she was found lying there in a semiconscious state and was wearing a black robe.
Village head: Um… yes.
Defence lawyer: All the evidence is circumstantial then. The witness is all yours Mr Baldev.
Prosecutor: Mr Tambe, did you see anyone else in the crematorium outside the hut that night.
Village head: No sir.
Defence lawyer: Objection your honour! Absence of someone is not evidence of presence of someone.
Judge: What? Whatever… objection sustained.
Defence lawyer: Thank you sir.
Prosecutor: I’d like to call the forensic expert on this case, Mr Fonseca.
Judge: Go ahead.
Prosecutor: Mr Fonseca, please read your finger print and blood analysis findings to the court.
Mr Fonseca: The finger prints on the stone match with those of Inspector Tanvi Yadav, and the blood, it matches with one of the tantric killers.
Prosecutor: Mr Seth, would you like to cross examine Mr Fonseca?
Defence lawyer: No questions.
Prosecutor: According to section 3 of Indian evidence act 1852, I have proven beyond reasonable doubt that Tanvi Yadav has murdered one of the tantric killers. She was present on the crime scene and we have her finger prints on the murder weapon that has the blood of the victim.
Judge looks at the Defence lawyer. He gets up.
Defence lawyer: Sir, my client is innocent. She was found in a semi-conscious state. The doctors found some level of a mixture of American ginseng and Rauwolfia serpentina in her blood. That incapacitated her from committing a crime that required perfect motor coordination and physical strength.
Prosecutor: Ha! I knew you would use that in your defence.
Judge: Cut the drama. Do you have anything or just empty words.
Prosecutor: Sir, I have a report from the doctors that indicates the blood levels of the said chemicals in Tanvi Yadav’s blood and I have reports of these trials indicating that those blood levels are not enough to incapacitate her physically and mentally.
Judge looks at the Defence lawyer again. He seems shaken.
Defence lawyer: The blood level may have decreased by the time it was checked later in the night.
Prosecutor: Maybe. But I have something else too. I would like to introduce two new witnesses to prove that Tanvi is the burqa killer.
Defence lawyer: Objection your honour! New witnesses cannot be allowed at this stage of the proceeding. Also, this is a case of murders of the tantric killers, not whether Tanvi Yadav is the burqa killer.
Judge: I will make an exception here. The two cases are intricately interwoven and if something is proved in the process without wasting the court’s time, I will accept it. The court is adjourned for today. Mr Baldev, give the list of your witnesses to Mr Seth. We will continue tomorrow at 12 noon.
Defence lawyer: That’s not enough time to prepare sir.
Judge: This is a fast track court Mr Seth. You should be thankful, I didn’t allow the witnesses today itself.
Defence lawyer: Yes sir. However, to compensate, if needed, I should also be allowed to present witnesses without prior notification to the prosecutor.
Judge: Is that acceptable to you Mr Baldev.
Prosecutor: It is, sir.
Hiral comes back on air before presenting the proceedings of the next day.
“From the proceedings of day 1, it appeared that the verdict would not be in favour of Tanvi Yadav. We hoped that the defence lawyer had some aces up his sleeve on the next day. On the second day too, the court room was packed. Inspector Tanvi Yadav was being comforted or should I say cuddled by Dr Abram Sheriff throughout the legal proceedings. Is something brewing between them? Our sources have informed us that they were a couple a few years ago, but they split due to unknown differences.
“Let’s see the dramatization of day 2 on your favourite news channel Galaxy plus with your favourite anchor Hiral and cameraman Aamir. Oops! Aamir is missing today. Where is he? Let’s watch this to find out.
Day 2
Judge: Let’s begin the proceeding.
Prosecutor: I would like to call DSP Pai on stand as my first witness of the day.
Judge: Permission granted.
Prosecutor: DSP Pai, does Inspector Tanvi Yadav report to you?
DSP Pai: She does.
Prosecutor: Did you do her background check before appointing her?
DSP Pai: Yes, I did.
Prosecutor: Did you find anything significant related to this case.
DSP Pai is hesitant.
Judge: DSP Pai, you are under oath.
DSP Pai: Yes sir, Tanvi Yadav’s father was murdered by an unknown person. She was a prime suspect for his murder, but was let off due to lack of evidence. Her brother had run away a few days before the murder. He was never found.
Prosecutor: You skipped the most important part DSP. What was the modus operandi of the murder?
DSP Pai: He was murdered with blows to his head using a heavy stone and he was probably the burqa killer’s first victim.
Prosecutor: Point to be noted down my lord.
The judge widens his eyes.
The prosecutor swallows hard: Your witness Mr Seth.
Defence lawyer: DSP Pai, did you find Tanvi lagging or irresponsible in her duty?
DSP Pai: Never. She is one of the most efficient officers of my team.
Prosecutor: Objection your honour! Irrelevant question.
Judge: I hope this is relevant Mr Seth.
Defence lawyer: It is, your honour. DSP saab, were there times when Tanvi Yadav couldn’t account for her time?
DSP Pai: Yes. It has happened with her. It can happen with any of us.
Defence lawyer: DSP Pai, please answer to the point only. How many times has it happened with Tanvi Yadav?
DSP Pai: Well… er… several times.
Defence lawyer: Point to be… oops... sorry your honour. I will have to use this point later.
Judge: Mr Seth, have you forgotten that you are Tanvi Yadav’s defence lawyer, not her prosecutor. This point is against her.
Defence lawyer: Only time will tell that sir.
Prosecutor: My next witness is Aamir, the cameraman of TV news channel Galaxy plus.
Aamir stands in the witness box.
Prosecutor: Aamir, you had accompanied the burqa killer to Kaked haveli.
Aamir: Yes sir.
Prosecutor: Did you get to see her face?
Aamir glances at Tanvi Yadav.
Prosecutor: You don’t have to fear anyone Aamir. You are safe here. Tell us Aamir, did you see her face?
Aamir: Yes sir.
Prosecutor: Is the burqa killer in the courtroom right now?
Judge: Seriously? Just cut the chase.
Prosecutor: Sorry your honour. Aamir, tell us who is she?
Aamir: She is Inspector Tanvi Yadav.
The courtroom is buzzing with expressions of shock. Tanvi Yadav is staring at Aamir in exasperation.
Judge: Order! Order!
Prosecutor: Do you have any doubt that the burqa killer could be someone else?
Aamir: No sir.
Prosecutor: That’s all from this witness your honour.
Judge: Mr Seth, would you like to cross examine?
Defence lawyer: Yes your honour. Mr Aamir, why didn’t you tell the police that you knew who the burqa killer was?
Aamir: Because I was scared that she would kill me.
Defence lawyer: Did she threaten you?
Aamir: She didn’t.
Defence lawyer: OK. Aamir, at any point of time, did she tell you that she was Tanvi Yadav?
Aamir: No sir.
Defence lawyer: Have you interacted with Inspector Tanvi Yadav before the Kaked episode?
Aamir: Yes sir. I have accompanied my news anchor Hiral at interviews of crime branch officers where I have seen her.
Defence lawyer: Did she behave like a police officer in Kaked?
Aamir: No sir, she seemed to be different.
Defence lawyer: Point to be noted… sir.
The judge grits his teeth.
Judge: What are you getting at?
Defence lawyer: Only time will tell your honour.
The judge rolls his eyes.
Prosecutor: I have proved beyond doubt that Tanvi Yadav has killed the tantric killers. We also have a reliable eye witness who has seen her as the burqa killer. I demand death penalty for Tanvi Yadav under IPC section 302 for all the murders she has committed.
There is commotion in the court again. Abram is seen comforting Tanvi.
Defence lawyer: I would like to call crime branch psychologist Dr Sunita Shetty on the stand.
Judge: Have you intimated the prosecution in good time?
Defence lawyer: Yes, your honour.
Judge: Do you have any objection Mr Baldev?
Prosecutor: No your honour.
The judge nods and Dr Sunita Shetty stands in the witness box.
Defence lawyer: Dr Shetty, we do understand that some information you have could be confidential and bound by psychologist-patient privilege. But as your patient’s life is in danger, I believe that should allow you to break that privilege.
Dr Sunita Shetty: Yes sir.
Defence lawyer: Dr Shetty, has Tanvi Yadav ever discussed her childhood issues with you?
Dr Shetty: Yes sir, several times.
Dr Shetty looks apologetically at Tanvi. Tanvi seems disturbed.
Defence lawyer: Can you elaborate?
Prosecutor: Objection your honour! Irrelevant question.
Judge looks at the defence lawyer.
Defence lawyer: Sir, only if you let the psychologist speak, I can prove that my questions are relevant.
Judge: Objection overruled. Answer the question Dr Sunita.
Dr Shetty: Inspector Tanvi Yadav has suffered severe abuse during her childhood. Her father tormented her.
Defence lawyer: What kind of abuse?
Dr Shetty: Physical and sexual.
The judge and the audience in the courtroom are stunned.
Defence lawyer: Did her brother suffer from similar abuse?
Dr Shetty: Yes, he couldn’t bear the trauma and ran away from home just days before Tanvi’s father was murdered. But Tanvi couldn’t bring herself to run away leaving her mother alone to face the wrath of her father.
Defence lawyer: Did Tanvi hold her father responsible for her brother’s disappearance.
Dr Shetty: Yes, she did. She also held him responsible for her mother’s troubles.
Defence lawyer: How so?
Dr Shetty: Her father physically abused her and had illegitimate relationships with other women.
Defence lawyer: Did Tanvi speak about these relationships?
Dr Shetty: Yes, often. She hated the other women in her mother’s life. However, she often spoke about a girl Zeenat who was her step sister from one of these illegitimate relationships.
Defence lawyer: Did she hate Zeenat?
Dr Shetty: No, she was very fond of her step sister. She said that she had a step brother too. His name was Akram.
Defence lawyer: Tell us more about Zeenat.
Dr Shetty: Zeenat hated child abusers.
Defence lawyer: Did she hate them enough to kill them?
Dr Shetty: I think so.
Prosecutor: Objection your honour! Mr Seth is just wasting the court’s time with irrelevant discussions and ghost personalities.
Judge: What are you getting at Mr Seth?
Defence lawyer: I will be able to bring forth a shocking truth if I am given some more time your honour. I promise that my interrogation of this witness is not to waste the court’s time.
Judge: Mr Seth, if you don’t make a point, I will penalise you.
Defence lawyer: I will take my chances your honour.
Judge: Alright. Go ahead.
Defence lawyer: Thank you your honour. Okay, Dr Shetty, let’s continue. Did you ever meet Zeenat?
Dr Shetty: No sir, I asked Tanvi to bring Zeenat to one of the sessions, but she always refused saying that Zeenat was not willing to come.
Defence lawyer: Then, what did you do?
Dr Shetty: I enquired with a few people who knew Tanvi well. None of them had ever met Zeenat.
Defence lawyer: Do you think Zeenat could be an imaginary person?
Dr Shetty: It is possible that during Tanvi’s days of trauma an alter ego was born to comfort her, especially after her brother ran away. This alter personality was courageous and rebellious. Tanvi may have found solace in this personality.
Defence lawyer: Could this personality be murderous?
Dr Shetty: Such alter personalities are often found to disobey rules and laws of society. They can go to any extent to protect the primary personality that has given birth to them.
Defence lawyer: Your honour, Dr Shetty’s findings, DSP Pai’s confession that Tanvi disappeared from duty unreported for several hours on several occasions and Aamir’s statement that she seemed to be a different person in Kaked Haveli prove that Zeenat was Tanvi’s alter personality. If Tanvi wanted to hide her identity, she would have never revealed it to Aamir. She was Zeenat when she met Aamir and Zeenat was fearless. She had no bounds and came out in the open in front of Aamir. That’s all your honour. The witness is yours Mr Baldev.
Prosecutor: No questions.
Defence lawyer: I would like to call Dr Abram Sheriff on stand please.
Judge nods.
Defence lawyer: Dr Abram, you have been one of the few people who have known Tanvi closely.
Dr Abram: Yes sir.
Defence lawyer: Did you ever meet Zeenat?
Dr Abram: No sir, I have only spoken to her on the phone.
Defence lawyer: So, she has a phone number?
Dr Abram: Not really, I have always spoken to her over Tanvi’s phone.
Defence lawyer: You mean, Tanvi would call you up and then put her on call to speak to you?
Dr Abram: Yes sir. Her voice was strikingly similar to Tanvi’s voice.
Defence lawyer: I see. Did you meet Akram?
Dr Abram: Tanvi mentioned that Akram, Zeenat’s brother, was blackmailing her that he would reveal some secret about Zeenat and Tanvi.
Defence lawyer: Could this secret be the fact that A
kram knew that Zeenat was the burqa killer.
Dr Abram: Could be. I never asked Tanvi about things she didn’t want to reveal.
Defence lawyer: Very respectable! Did you meet Akram?
Dr Abram: Tanvi mentioned him often in her conversations. I derived from her talks that Akram was a trouble maker. Once, Tanvi was upset because Akram was blackmailing her after he was arrested. I enquired about him in the police station that Tanvi mentioned, but there was no one by that name.
Defence lawyer: What did you do then?
Dr Abram: I told her that I had taken care of him and that he would not trouble them for a long time.
Defence lawyer: Why did you do that?
Dr Abram: I had met Dr Sunita Shetty in the past when she was enquiring about Zeenat. She suggested that Zeenat could be an imaginary person. I connected the fact that I too had never met her in person. I visited the place where Tanvi stayed when her father was murdered. I enquired with her neighbours about Zeenat. No one knew about her.
Defence lawyer: Was there any other observation that led you to believe that Zeenat and Tanvi were the same people?
Dr Abram: Yes sir, Tanvi often left notes on her desk about locations of the places where crimes against children were committed. Obviously, it was for someone who had access to her house. I believe that she left it for her alter personality Zeenat. I had seen a note about Kaked village. Once, I replaced it with Tungareshwar forest. She was furious by my action.
Defence lawyer: Are you saying that she communicated with her alter personality to give information about crime sites?
Abram: Maybe sir. I did my best to keep her away from the tantric murders because I knew her alter personality would take over.
Defence lawyer: Why didn’t you speak to Dr Shetty that you suspected Zeenat to be the burqa killer?
Dr Abram: Because I didn’t, and I still don’t. I am only saying that Zeenat could be Tanvi’s alter personality.
Defence lawyer: Your honour, I have proved beyond reasonable doubt that Tanvi Yadav suffers from multiple personality disorder. I suggest that her mental health should be assessed by psychiatrists before further proceedings.
Judge: Would you like to cross examine the witness Mr Baldev?
Prosecutor: No sir, Dr Abram is clearly in love with inspector Tanvi Yadav. I am not sure if his statements are reliable.
Defence lawyer: You are forgetting that he is a responsible officer of the government and his statements have been cross checked with Dr Sunita Shetty and Tanvi Yadav’s neighbours.
