"Athithi Devo Bhawa (Guest is God)" continues...

True to her word, Judy did return to India to testify in court during trial. She reached Delhi on April 13, 2004 and stayed on until May 2, 2004. Besides her, Detective Sergeant Anna Gooch and Detective Constable Stephen Goodhew also deposed before the Trial Court. Judy handled her cross-examination with aplomb and confidence. She had done everything within her might to seek justice.

Over fifty witnesses have been examined in the case. Reportedly, the trial is in its final stages and hopefully the court’s verdict should come by the end of this year. If convicted, the accused would have the option of going in appeal, Their first appeal would lie in the Delhi High Court and then in the Supreme Court of India. It is anybody’s guess when the final closure in the matter would come.

Already more than thirteen years have gone by since her friend Joan and Judy underwent horrific experiences during their trip to India. Judy’s courage and determination to get justice are admirable. Regrettably, her friend Joan, Judy’s husband Kerry and Joan’s London-based father did not appear in the Trial Court to further strengthen the prosecution case.

The wheels of Indian justice system grind at their leisurely pace, as is their wont, given the huge number of cases they handle and the dilatory tactics of defence counsels. Meanwhile, the members of ‘Lapka’ gang arrested by us are all out on bail. Reportedly, they have shifted their operational area of ‘grabbing’ young female tourists and robbing them to Goa, Pushkar and Kulu-Manali. God alone knows how many girls have fallen prey to their vile ways by now.

Bollywood super-star Aamir Khan’s sanctimonious message, on behalf of the
Government of India, to treat guests as Gods, has sadly left no impression on members of the ‘Lapka Gang’.