“The Bar Talks Episode 6: A Victim’s Rendition”

The following courtroom experience has been shared by Aditya Singh

A courtroom is a place where nobody wishes to visit, but very few are lucky enough to never visit a court. Unfortunately, I was also among the majority who had to visit the court for a very diabolical event. I was sitting in my home with my family and was getting ready for a party. Suddenly I heard a knock at the door and a voice was heard by my mother that a parcel had come. My mother opened the door and five people crashed into my house. I was left completely deadpanned. They started demanding money from us and I understood that these people had some ulterior motive and were here to commit dacoity. I did not know what to do as the five people were armed and I was worried about the safety of my family. Therefore, we decided to abide by the instructions of the goons. They tied us and took with them whatever they could. A few moments later, my friend came to my house to pick me up. He tried calling me but I did not answer. Therefore, he rang the bell and saw the door open. He entered my home and found us tied in a room. Those goons had left by that time. He untied us and we called the cops. The people who committed dacoity were caught by the police later. I along with my family were called by the honourable court to give our statements as we were the main victims. As I entered the court, I saw many security personnel and lawyers moving around the court. I entered the courtroom where the proceeding was scheduled to commence. I found the court to be a big room with a very normal infrastructure. There were lawyers present in the room along with my family members. Other people who were an employee of the court were also present there to assist the judge so that the legal proceedings could be carried on efficiently. The honourable judge came and everybody stood up to pay him their respect. We sat down and the incident was brought into the sight of the judge. I was called by the judge in the witness box. I greeted the judge. I was asked by the judge in which language would I like to give my statement and I, therefore, opted for English. I read the oath and started explaining about the bloodcurdling event which happened with us. The judge cross-questioned me about the events and I honestly dictated the whole incident. The culprits who had committed the crime were standing just outside the room and were called by the judge so that I could identify them. My family members were further called to get their statements recorded. Thereafter, the honourable judge asked everyone to take their place and decided in our favour and charged those goons under section 395, 120A of the Indian Penal Code for committing dacoity, criminal conspiracy, and they were sentenced to serve 7 years in prison after which the court was adjourned. Those criminals were immediately taken into custody by the police and we left the court.

I realised the following day that the actual courtroom might be a little different in appearance from the courtrooms we see on the screen, but the fact which remains the same both on and off the screen is that in the end, justice will always prevail over evil.