Trampled

Remission

Six months later,  Mahendra waited nervously for the court judgement. Together he and Ratnakar had sued SJS Medical college along with the four accused students.

Payal's letter had shook the nation. He hadn't gone down the conventional route of suing the college. Instead he had contacted the local newspapers and had got the letter published in every newspaper. 

The crimes that Payal spoke of in her letter along with her innocent pleas to her brother to take come take her home, had touched the hearts of millions of people around the nation. Everyone wanted justice for Payal and Vishwas. 

But justice was a privilege only for the rich and the powerful, Mahendra had soon learnt.

The accused and their families were rich and powerful and this news of bullying at the college hadn't gone down well on either one of them. Everyone right from Raima's father, Prabhakar Malhotra to Principal Mehta had tried in vain to get Mahendra to back out of the case. But he was indisposed.

"Payal Bhatnagar and Vishwas Kulkarni were having an affair," The defence lawyer, Saurabh Samarth voice brought Mahendra out of his stupor. "We have proofs, there are pictures to the effect that clearly indicate they were having an affair."

Mahendra hissed to himself. The pictures they had produced were close up shots of his sister with Vishwas. Although Payal and Vishwas seemed to be in close embrace, they looked distant from one another. It was obvious they were lying on the cold floor. Her eyes were swollen and ruddy and her cheeks were stained with tears. Vishwas too seemed equally distressed in the pictures. But the photos weren't clear. However the defence attorney claimed the distress was because Vishwas had broken up with Payal. She was heart broken and hence tearful.

The defence attorney yet again held the photos up to the audience in the courtroom. The first photo was a close up shot and it seemed like Vishwas was about to kiss Payal. The next exhibit was that of her sobbing with her head resting against his chest. Yet it was obvious they were uncomfortable with each other and were perhaps struggling to stay apart.

The photos had miraculously appeared in Vishwas's room. His room-mate Somesh owned up to having clicked them at Vishwas's behest. He also testified against Vishwas, stating his intentions towards the female students of the college had been perverted. But Mahendra and Ratnakar weren't rattled by the accusations, they had expected the families of the accused to purchase every witness and to twist the facts in favour of their children.

"These pictures are non-conclusive," Their lawyer fought back. "Why would Payal write of assault and bullying by the accused in such detail had she been having an affair with Vishwas Kulkarni. And if Vishwas had broken up with her, why did he commit suicide later. And most importantly why would she post the letter, she could have made a phone call to her brother and complained."

Mahendra sighed with a chuckle. He had meddled with the envelope Naseem had given him and made it look like Payal had posted him the letter. Naseem had been spared. He couldn't let another girl's life too go in vain.

But Payal's letter had rattled the authorities. No one had expected him to go to the media. But he had. Every newspaper and channel was broadcasting this iconic case.

He had sought help from women's rights associations and students council from around the country, and together they had put immense pressure upon the government asking them for a quick decision on this case.

He needed justice and he knew he wouldn't stop till he got it. Thankfully Vishwas's brother, Ratnakar stood beside him in this battle.

Sanyal's men had already offered filthy amount of money asking them to withdraw the case. But they weren't willing to budge.