A Promise beyond Justice

Suseela stared at her teenage daughter, Veena, in shock. Her mind raced, struggling to process the words that had just been spoken. She closed the door quickly, her voice barely a whisper. ‘Oh God… Why? Haven’t I suffered enough?

“Amma, I am sorry. I meant to tell you earlier, but just could not find the words.”

Suseela stepped closer, clutching Veena’s shoulders. She shook her and demanded, “Tell me tell me tell me…. who did this to you?”

Silence!

She shoved Veena in anger and when the young girl fell on the sofa, realization struck – Veena must be 4 months pregnant! And she was just 16 years old.

Loud sobs racked Suseela and she thought her heart might burst with shock, remorse and guilt.  Leaving her little girl alone every day, almost all day until as late as 9 PM, in this bad, bad neighbourhood to make a living, how could she not have seen this coming? Veena stood silently, her face unreadable, as her mother’s sobs filled the room. She had known this moment would come, had prepared for it since the day she discovered her pregnancy.

“Yaaru dee…sollu…Who is the rascal?”

Veena whispered, “Praveen”

The months which followed that eventful day were tumultous for Suseela and Veena. Praveen, who lived right opposite Veena’s apartment, flatly denied the accusation. His sister, Supriya and Veena were friends. Supriya was shell shocked. But she did not know whom to believe. Secretly she hoped that it was Praveen as the thought of seeing Veena and Praveen as a couple actually pleased her.

Suseela decided to go ahead with Veena’s pregnancy and one rainy evening, Veena gave birth to a boy baby. Suseela had filed a case against Praveen and soon the day of the hearing dawned.

Praveen sat on the courtroom bench, his face pale but composed. Veena sat on the other end cradling the little baby in her arms her eyes filled equally with fear and sadness. She glanced at Praveen and sent a fervent prayer, “Please, God, let the case go in my favour..”

Suseela glared at Praveen. He was immaculately dressed in black pants and full sleeved blue shirt. He was accompanied by his parents and they all sat there in stoic silence.

Suseela’s lawyer was a portly gentleman with kind eyes. He was already in his place, going through his papers.

Lawyer Tamilarasi entered the courtroom her presence commanding attention. Praveen stood up to acknowledge her by giving her a respectful nod. Tamilarasi of medium height, about 45 years old had intelligent eyes that conveyed confidence and composure. Her black robe complimented her white starched sari and she seemed a picture of poise and perfection.

Tamilarasi recalled the day Praveen had walked into her office. There was something about him that intrigued her—his quiet determination, his respect for her work. He had chosen her as his defense lawyer after reading up on her cases, and she was determined to give him her best, though she knew this would be a complex and emotional case.

A subtle murmur rippled through the courtroom, the general mood was one of animosity toward Praveen. Whispers spread among the onlookers, questioning how a woman could defend an accused who had betrayed the little girl.

The Judge Kamala Chandrasekar, known for her fair and just verdicts especially in complex long drawn cases entered the room. The murmur turned into a hushed silence as the proceedings began.

As expected Praveen was portrayed as an opportunist, earning well, even before he turned 25 years. That gave him the callous nature of owning what all he wanted – be it things or people.

Praveen glanced at his mother and sighed. His heart sank listening to the barrage of accusations. His mother gave him a reassuring pat on his shoulder. Tamilarasi rose to defend Praveen. The usual questions were asked and after about 15 minutes of cross questioning various witnesses, the case reached a turning point.

Tamilarasi stood tall, her voice steady as she faced the court. ‘Your Honor, I present Evidence No. 1. This is the DNA report, which, I regret to inform you, conclusively states that Praveen is not the biological father”.

A gasp echoed across the court room. The Judge perused the report and nodded.

“Furthermore, I present the second piece of evidence. These are the logs from the company where Praveen is employed. The records clearly indicate that on the day of the alleged crime, which the petitioner claims, my client was present at work. I request that you, Your Honour, review both the In and Out logs, as well as the CCTV footage from his office

If looks could kill, Suseela would have slain two people with her gaze. Yet Veena continued to look at the floor rocking her infant in her arms. She glanced at the Judge once with a silent plea and averted her eyes downwards again.

The Judge closely examined the evidence and asked Suseela’s lawyer,

“Do you have anything to say to counter this evidence”

“No your honour”

The judge banged her gavel and declared, “In light of the compelling evidence submitted by the defence lawyer Mrs Tamilarasi, the court acquits Praveen of the charge”

Praveen and his parents heaved a sigh of relief.

Suseela sat stunned her face a mixture of confusion and despair.

As Praveen walked out with Tamilarasi, he requested her,

“Ma’am I would like to say a few words to Veena in your presence”

Veena entered the room looking awkward. Suseela stood outside at the door holding the baby in her arms.

“Veena, look at my eyes and answer me truthfully…Did I do it?” asked Praveen.

Veena looked at his eyes and looked at the floor and shook her head to say no.

Praveen took a deep breath, his voice steady but filled with sincerity. “If you truly believe I could be a good father to your child… I am willing to marry you, Veena. I will wait for you to make this decision when you’re ready.”

Veena stood speechless in shock while Suseela watched silently from the door, with tears streaming down her face.

Tamilarasi did not expect Praveen to say those lines. While she was thinking of a way to advise Praveen he spoke up, “Veena is a good child. I have known her since she was 6 years old. I will wait for her till she grows up. This baby needs a good future and I will surely take care henceforth”

Tamilarasi thought to herself, strange things have happened in my career. This case has brought hope, a hope that humanity still exists.

Veena’s eyes met Praveen’s. Her mind drifted back to that fateful afternoon when an unknown intruder barged into her small apartment while she was alone. Her screams were muffled, and she was left helpless as the horror unfolded. The fear of what the ominous looking intruder might do kept her silent, and it wasn’t until her unwanted pregnancy revealed the truth that her ordeal came to light.

For the first time in months, Veena’s smile returned, tentative at first, then growing brighter. The rain had stopped, and outside, the sun began to break through the clouds. The birds’ songs seemed louder now, as if nature itself was rejoicing with her.

Adapted from a true story related by a famous lawyer in a talk show.