Love or Retribution?

Chapter - 31

The whole courthouse stirred in silence as the judge reviewed the documents handed over to him by Subhashini. He took some time and then nodded his head indicating that she can proceed.

A slight commotion at Mr. Thomson's side caught the judge's attention.

"What is it Mr. Saravanan? Any concerns?"

"Your honor, this is clear conflict of interest, she cannot be the lawyer", Saravanan argued.

"Why?", the judge asked confused.

"She is the biological daughter of my client; she had clearly been brainwashed to turn against her father, she doesn't even practice criminal law, she is a corporate lawyer", said Saravanan.

"Your honor, I am a Harvard law graduate and have cleared the Indian bar exam, I have been a corporate lawyer with one of the biggest firms in India for 5 years, until two days back. I have resigned, and I am free from all contracts abiding me to the company, hence I am free to defend Ms. Sathya", Subhashini said in a crystal-clear voice.

"Ms. Sathya, do you have any problem or conflict of interest here? Do you think the daughter of your opponent can be objective and defend in your favor?", the judge asked looking at Sathya.

Sathya turned and looked at Indira, she closed and open her eyes once giving her mother the assurance.

"Yes, your honor, I am."

"Then in that case, I will allow it, you may proceed Ms. Subashini."

"Your honor, I will now present to you these consent forms here as evidence", she said and handed over a bunch of papers to the judge and Saravanan.

"They were signed as part of the agreement to use the meeting room at Subha graha for business transactions."

"If you see clause 2A, it clearly states that the resort management has the rights to video tape the meetings for better arrangements in the future unless the attendees request for a closed and private meeting."

"In this case, the organizer Mr. Madhavan did not ask for a closed meeting, hence the meeting was recorded with their consent making it perfectly legal."

"Since the knife was found based on the information we got from this recording, and the search was carried out by the assistant commissioner of Coimbatore himself after obtaining a legitimate search warrant, the knife as evidence is permissible." she said and paused for a second, giving time for the judge to go through the document.

"May I also present to you the pathology lab report that indicates that the blood on the knife has been preserved perfectly and it belongs to Mr. Arunkumar, also here is the forensic lab report indicating the presence of full five finger and palm print of Mr. Thomson on the said knife."

The judge analyzed  the reports for few more minutes.

"This all clearly points to one thing only, Mr. Thomson murdered Mr. Arunkumar and framed Ms. Sathya", Subhashini finished arguing and looked at her father with full blown disgust.

"Objection your honor, Ms.Subhashini is passing judgement instead of arguing, we all know that lab reports can be altered or bought. I would like the court's permission to analyze the knife ourselves and also test the blood too using our own reputed labs ", Saravanan argued.

"I am sorry your honor, we can hand over the knife but the blood on the knife has been fully used as only very little amount got preserved over 20 years"

"What a convenience, so then we just have to take your word for it I guess", Saravanan mocked her and turned towards the judge.

"Keeping this all aside, there is one major flaw in their case? Motive? Why should Mr. Thomson kill Mr. Arunkumar? Whereas Ms. Sathya's motive has been clearly established 20 years ago and she proved us right by escaping from the prison, I mean, last I checked innocents don't run from law, only guilty does."