Social responsibility - Khaleej Times 1 March 2006

A WISE man once said that ‘every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate amongst them’. The new world order has a distinct picture to reveal as indicated by the verdict of late model Jessica Lal. After more than five years of investigations, the accused were given a clean chit and acquitted.Unfortunately, during long periods of trial, the witness turns hostile due to apparent reasons and the entire filament gets fabricated. The judiciary is forced to give the benefit of doubt to the accused as they do not have sufficient witnesses and there are no proper laws to deal with witnesses who change their story as the case progresses.When an innocent person is brutally murdered, where do we stand collectively in bringing justice to the victim or victimised family? We have a moral responsibility in such situations. Until we act, well-connected personalities who place themselves above the law will remain scot-free and continue to commit heinous crimes in broad daylight.

— Yasmin Banu, Abu Dhabi