“This is disgusting that a man of his stature would stoop to this level to defend his client. I am glad that my parents are not alive to hear this against their daughter,” – Sabrina Lall.
The above reaction has comes from Sabrina Lall, sister of murdered Jessica Lall in response to accused Manu Sharma’s celebrity lawyer Ram Jethmalani’s latest tactics in the court.
Ram Jethmalani is showing off his skills by putting forth series of arguments (none proven so far) in defense of his client, Manu Sharma. He reminds of a poisonous spider which keeps spinning its web of deceit and lies, all with the aim of attacking its vulnerable prey.
Take 1: Accusing the media and asking for transfer of the Jessica Lall case from Justice Sodhi’s court.
Take 2: Accusing the Delhi Police of framing his client and protecting a very influential Red Turban Sardar, who according to him is the actual culprit.
But now which his third twist in the line of Manu Sharma’s defense, Mr. Jethmalani has clearly crossed the border from being a wicked lawyer to an immoral human being.
Take 3:
“Jessica was murdered for something she had not for something she didn’t have. The man who killed her had a much more powerful motive.”
“He perhaps killed her out of jealousy because his sexual manhood was challenged,” said Ram Jethmalani.
So now it seems that the noted criminal lawyer has taken the Bollywood route by questioning the character of the woman involved, in this case the dead victim. True Amrish Puri style (from the film Damini), he has managed to distract the court from the main accused on to others with his series of arguments.
I agree every man has a “right to a fair trial” and it could be technically incorrect for a lawyer to refuse a case. But does this give the likes of Jethmalani the right to defame and indulge in character assignation – all in the attempt of doing his job.
According to many, Ram Jethmalani has started to take the law for granted.
“It is defamation most definitely because if you see 499 of the IPC, it is defamation to defame a dead person and a person can be prosecuted for it. It is a major problem. It is the responsibility of the judges to stop it,” said Indira Jaisingh, Senior Supreme Court lawyer.
“What he has done is deplorable. He is a fellow Member of the Parliament and should not have done this. This will send out a very wrong message,” Brinda Karat, CPI-M Politburo Member.
“Often lawyers bring into question the morality of a woman as this helps to weaken the case. We have a code of ethics and while it is the duty of every lawyer to defend his client, he has hit below the belt,” said Dr Surat Singh, senior Supreme Court Lawyer.
Even his co-workers are now questioning his intentions.
Advocate Kamini Jaiswal who appeared alongside Jethmalani in the SAR Geelani matter says she is ‘very disturbed’ by the decision. “He has publicly said he has retired and will appear only in matters where the larger national interest is involved,” she says. “This is not a larger issue.”
With such a defensive strategy, it appears that Ram Jethmalani has attempted to chew much more than his frail old-self can handle. He should remember that not only media but the entire nation is practically watching his every move, in regards to the Jessica Lall case. And if in the days to come he fails to present substantial evidence to back his controversial arguments – It will be our duty to urge the Indian courts to take severe action against him, thereby setting an example for other lawyers.
Afterall irresponsible behavior from a highly-acclaimed lawyer cum politician could easily encourage other member of the same field to follow such trend. And thereby discourage victims and the abused from raising a voice from the fear of public humiliation and character execution.
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