GORE Chapter 9

The day had come, Pranav made sure he had all the documents ready to be presented in front of the grand jury and made his mental preparation, while Ram wore his best attire so as to look genuinely innocent. Pranav phoned Ramesh to confirm who was representing the prosecution; it was Sahan’s girlfriend Maya.

Maya had a reputation of her own, very skilled woman, talented enough turn suspect in to victim and victim to a suspect, but that was not necessary this time around. She has been secretly following this case with Sahan and every investigation Sahan has made was influenced by her, she too had made her arrangements for this challenging day at the court.

The court room was huge decorated with legendary desks which date back to time of pre-independence of India. It housed a grand bench for the jury facing which were two columns of benches. In front there were provisions made for the defense and the prosecution to be seated with tables.

Pranav and Ram arrived in the court room; they both gave a look at the prosecution team which consisted of Maya and her witness Devi and sat down. Devi gave a look of surprise for she never knew there was suspect in this murder case. There was a total chaos in the room until a voice called “All rise”.

The Judge arrived and asked everybody to sit down.

Judge: Yes prosecution?

Maya: Your honour, prosecution represents public and accuses this man Mr.Ram an engineering student of a Murder of his peer and girl friend Seema.

Judge: How does suspect plead?

Ram: Your honour, I am innocent, the victim was my girlfriend but I only knew her as Devi not as seema.

Pranav signaled Ram to stop talking.

Maya: Your honour, I would like to call the suspect to the front for a cross.

Judge: Permission granted.

Maya: Mr, Ram, since how long have been seeing Seema?

Ram: 2 years I guess.

Maya: How did you meet her?

Ram: College, we were in the same class, she made passes at me, I thought she liked me; I went to her spoke directly, it all happened in a week, we hooked up since then.

Maya: Have you had physical relationships with her?

Pranav : Objection your honour, prosecution is simply trying to buy time by making irrelevant cross examination.

Maya : Your honour, in matters of relationship, sex has been major motive for murders, we all know that, for a counselor of his stature, Mr.Pranav should understand that.

Judge: Objection overruled.

Maya : Thank you your honour.Mr Ram?

Ram looked over Pranav, seeking his counsel and Pranav made a gesture of agreement.

Ram : Yes.

Maya: Has she been avoiding you lately?

Again, Ram looked at Pranav and said Yes.

Maya : Could you tell more about this chapter?

Ram : I proposed for a marriage, 4 months back, I loved her so much, there was consent from the side of my family, I wanted her to ask permission of her family for the wedding. Since then she’s been acting very odd. She made up reasons for not returning my calls.

Maya: OK, could you please tell us what happened next?

Ram : I wanted to settle this for once and asked her to take me to her place so that I will ask her parents for permission, I thought she was afraid to do it herself, but she kept delaying that and finally told me it might not work and said sorry. I somehow got hold of her address and went to her place to seek her parent’s permission, all I wanted was to spend my life with her, she was my dream, my wish and my fantasy.

Ram started to weep, while the whole court fell silent and Maya didn’t know how to react

Maya: Please Ram, do continue.

Ram: That’s it, I went to her place and found her hanging by the nail in the wardrobe. It was hard to sink in, I just sat down where I was, I never knew I would be suspected for a murder.

Maya: Well would have rather escaped from the scene if you knew you would be?

Pranav: Objection your honour, prosecution needs to understand that my client is a suspect and not a convict.

Judge: Objection sustained.

Maya: Last question your honour, Mr. Ram, are you sure, seema was dead by the time you saw her?

Ram: I would mam.

Maya: Please note this point your honour. I am through.

Judge: Does the defense wish to cross?

Pranav: No your honour.

Judge: The court is in recess.

While Maya is busy talking to Sahan on the phone, Pranav and Ram get busy discussing the ongoing.

Pranav: Never ever lose your hold on the fact that you were there only after the incident took place and not while it was on going. I have checked the case file and this is one loop hole we ought to take advantage of.

Ram: OK.

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