New Delhi, February 27
The outrage over the sensational Jessica Lall murder case today got reverberated in both Houses of Parliament with members expressing deep concern over the acquittal of all nine accused in the case and vociferously demanding retrial.
Responding to the agitated members in the Rajya Sabha during zero hour, the Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, said “As the law exists today, no person should be tried twice in any case... Supreme Court has ordered reinvestigation in some cases and it has become a kind of law also for us. It can be followed.”
Aligning himself with the sentiments of the members, he said “instead of blaming anybody we should go to the very root and find out who is really responsible and to what extent in the case.”
Raising the issue, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury expressed deep anguish over the manner in which the culprits got away thus creating a blot on the justice delivery system.
“It is absolutely unacceptable if the system of justice delivery could be subverted under our nose...The government should take all steps necessary to restore faith in justice delivery system,” he said.
CPM Politburo member Brinda Karat wanted to know if the Home Minister would order a time-bound re-investigation into this case and punishment to all police and other officials involved. It has become a “symbol of injustice” and there is a national outrage, she said.
Mr Patil said, “whatever is possible as per the law to see that justice should be done will be done. Let there be no doubt.”
Noting that the Delhi High Court has suo motu taken cognisance of the matter, he said the court has asked the police to look into it.
Observing that the Delhi Police would give its report as per the high court order, Mr Patil said, “whatever can be done in this matter as per the ruling given by the Supreme Court or as per the decision given by the high court or as per the existing law, we will certainly do it”.
On protecting the witnesses, he said the proposed Communal Harmony Bill has specific provisions to provide protection to the witnesses and the government was keen that such provision was incorporated into the Criminal Procedure Code also.
