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Authors: Amieya Prabhaker
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the TADA act or second, a murder.”
“Murder?” the journalist
echoed in a surprised tone.
“Yes, drugs and the mafia
network unfortunately do not qualify as a national security risk. And we know
the ISI has been working with the mafia for several decades. They also use this
network to supply arms and ammunitions to internal terrorist groups. However,
as far as I know arms were not seized during the operation, so excluding the
eventualities, the only scenario in which this immunity is nullified for Mr.
Khan seems to be murder. I am putting this hypothesis also from the fact that
if the crime was not so severe, the Pakistani government would have had him
released through diplomatic channels by now. But that hasn’t happened!”
“Let me tell our spectators
that we tried to speak to Indian officials but everything is under wraps. We
may not even have access to the judicial hearing. But several well-known media
persons are already describing this case as India’s response to Pakistan’s
state sponsored terrorism. That makes this case extremely significant on a
diplomatic basis. We will speak next to the defence lawyer Mr. Banerjee, who as
a one-time public prosecutor, was renowned for having brought several
high-profile terrorists and criminals to justice. Mr. Banerjee, what allegations
have been made against Mr. Khan? What do you have to say about this case?”
“Officially, we cannot
discuss this case,” Mr. Banerjee responds, “All that I can state is that we
should not get sentimental but focus with a level head on a mutual bi-lateral
relationship. A wrong decision based on this case can jeopardize years of hard
work that diplomats on both sides of the border have put in to strengthen our
relationship. I hope that, in the end, truth and justice will prevail.”
“Mr. Banerjee, the Pakistani
administration claims that Mr. Khan is being framed by India to defame
Pakistan. They say this case has been created by a conservative faction in the
RAW. What do you have to say about this?”
“Sorry; no further comments.
Thank you.” Mr. Banerjee excuses himself and swiftly rushes past into the
court.
Arjun and Riya, meanwhile,
enter the court through a secret secure back door, away from the peering eyes
of journalists and media. Suddenly people have woken up overnight to realize
the immense significance this case holds for bi-lateral relationships between
the two countries. The world knows that the ISI has always acted to destabilize
India, through its strategy of a thousand cuts. But its notorious deeds have
never been openly exposed, not until today.
So will today be India’s
response to Pakistan’s sponsored terrorism? The story that unfolds inside the
court may perhaps never be exposed to the outside world, but what happens
inside will tilt the scales in a never-ending intelligence game that continues unabated
between these two countries. All the players in this game know that it’s now
time to bring out the trump card.
The Trump Card
The court has been in session
with the trial in progress; after some time, Riya is invited by the public
prosecutor to provide her evidence.
“Your honor, I’d like to
invite the eyewitness to the murder to provide her testimony. Before I bring
the witness, I’d like to point out that for security reasons, witness anonymity
has been provided in this case. Lt. Gen. Khan, can you move to the audio visual
glass chamber. We can see you from outside but you will not be able to see or
hear us from this chamber.”
Riya enters the court from a
side door, walks elegantly and sits on a small chair in the witness box. The
public prosecutor stands and walks up to Riya to start the proceedings.
“For the record, can you
please state your full name?”
“Riya Saxena.”
“Miss Riya, have you seen
this picture before?” He hands her a photograph.
“Yes. This is the person whom
I saw get shot that day.”
“My lord, this picture is of
RAW special agent Mr. Vinod
“Murder?” the journalist
echoed in a surprised tone.
“Yes, drugs and the mafia
network unfortunately do not qualify as a national security risk. And we know
the ISI has been working with the mafia for several decades. They also use this
network to supply arms and ammunitions to internal terrorist groups. However,
as far as I know arms were not seized during the operation, so excluding the
eventualities, the only scenario in which this immunity is nullified for Mr.
Khan seems to be murder. I am putting this hypothesis also from the fact that
if the crime was not so severe, the Pakistani government would have had him
released through diplomatic channels by now. But that hasn’t happened!”
“Let me tell our spectators
that we tried to speak to Indian officials but everything is under wraps. We
may not even have access to the judicial hearing. But several well-known media
persons are already describing this case as India’s response to Pakistan’s
state sponsored terrorism. That makes this case extremely significant on a
diplomatic basis. We will speak next to the defence lawyer Mr. Banerjee, who as
a one-time public prosecutor, was renowned for having brought several
high-profile terrorists and criminals to justice. Mr. Banerjee, what allegations
have been made against Mr. Khan? What do you have to say about this case?”
“Officially, we cannot
discuss this case,” Mr. Banerjee responds, “All that I can state is that we
should not get sentimental but focus with a level head on a mutual bi-lateral
relationship. A wrong decision based on this case can jeopardize years of hard
work that diplomats on both sides of the border have put in to strengthen our
relationship. I hope that, in the end, truth and justice will prevail.”
“Mr. Banerjee, the Pakistani
administration claims that Mr. Khan is being framed by India to defame
Pakistan. They say this case has been created by a conservative faction in the
RAW. What do you have to say about this?”
“Sorry; no further comments.
Thank you.” Mr. Banerjee excuses himself and swiftly rushes past into the
court.
Arjun and Riya, meanwhile,
enter the court through a secret secure back door, away from the peering eyes
of journalists and media. Suddenly people have woken up overnight to realize
the immense significance this case holds for bi-lateral relationships between
the two countries. The world knows that the ISI has always acted to destabilize
India, through its strategy of a thousand cuts. But its notorious deeds have
never been openly exposed, not until today.
So will today be India’s
response to Pakistan’s sponsored terrorism? The story that unfolds inside the
court may perhaps never be exposed to the outside world, but what happens
inside will tilt the scales in a never-ending intelligence game that continues unabated
between these two countries. All the players in this game know that it’s now
time to bring out the trump card.
The Trump Card
The court has been in session
with the trial in progress; after some time, Riya is invited by the public
prosecutor to provide her evidence.
“Your honor, I’d like to
invite the eyewitness to the murder to provide her testimony. Before I bring
the witness, I’d like to point out that for security reasons, witness anonymity
has been provided in this case. Lt. Gen. Khan, can you move to the audio visual
glass chamber. We can see you from outside but you will not be able to see or
hear us from this chamber.”
Riya enters the court from a
side door, walks elegantly and sits on a small chair in the witness box. The
public prosecutor stands and walks up to Riya to start the proceedings.
“For the record, can you
please state your full name?”
“Riya Saxena.”
“Miss Riya, have you seen
this picture before?” He hands her a photograph.
“Yes. This is the person whom
I saw get shot that day.”
“My lord, this picture is of
RAW special agent Mr. Vinod
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