jessica lal

Well someone HAD to start a thread on this topic (at last a national issue whcih is more important than Saurav Ganguly !)

What I wish to know is ... can anyone throw light on the 2 bullets theory whcih was vital for the defence... did the forensic exam consider (for instance) the ANGLE and DEPTH of penetration of the bullets ... my guess is .. if these attributes look similar, dusn't that prove only one gun was used (and hence only one assassin)

Any sleuths out there?
AGILENT

Well, the ballistic examination of bullets may throw light on things like the make of the weapon and whether the shot was fired from the same weapon et al.

First of all, there are different kinds of bullets for different weapons. For Example, the bullet of one AK-47 will be different from bullet of a .32 pistol. Thus, the bullet may prima facie tell which class the weapn belong to.
Further, whenever a shot is fired, some kind of marks are made on the bullet shell (empties). The inside structure of the barrel, the internal finishing, the pressure applied on the bullet all make some kind of scratches on the empties. You can think them of as finger prints of the gun. Hence, if more than one shots are fired from the same weapon, the marks on all the empties will be similar. The forensic experts tally these marks to find out whether the empties are from the same weapon or different weapons and tries to establish a fact.

That is all I knew of this science. More knowledge can always be gained using the power of Wikipedia and Google.

Best Regards,

Thats all very well ACA ( and thanks for those useful fundas) but what is the remedy if one of the empties itself has been substituted , like it appears to have been in this case

And (horror of horrors !!) this fraud is attributed to the Cops / Investigating Agencies ... obviously at the assassin's behest

(also read today's news about a letter from the senior cop on this point)

AGILENT

In my opinion, there is one method and that is forensic re-creation of the scenario as it was at the time of Murder. Here the Angle factor can play a role. Using the angle theory, a forensic expert can determine where the murderer was standing at the time of firing on the model. Similar, calculations can be done using the angle of the shot that hit the roof. Thereafter, the witnesses have to be questioned about the spot wherefrom the murderer did fire the shots. If the spot identified by the witnesses does agree with that determined using forensic techniques, it can be accepted that the witnesses' account of the incident is correct. Once the witnesses account is accepted, it's impliedly accepted that there were only 1 guns as seen by the witnesses. Then you are left with interrogation of the SHO and make him accept that empties were changed. Even if he doesn't accept that, there are only 3 possibilties.

1. Both the shots were fired from the same spot. It'll prove that the person firing the two shots was one.

2. Shots were fired from two different spots.
2A. 1st scenario is that the shots were fired by the same peron. In that case, the murderer must be moving.
2B. 2nd scenario is the shots were fired by 2 different persons, in that scenario, that person is most probably going to be stationary.

The forensic expert can even identify whether the shot that did hit the roof was fired by a moving person or a stationery one. After doing all this exercise, the 2 weapon theory might be proved wrong. Once it's proved wrong, go nab the SHO, make him accept his wrong deeds and then proceed with the case.

But all this is easier said than done. First of all, only a forensic expert can say if this methodology will work and what kind of forensic investigation was done so far in the case, then the witnesses need to stand firm on their stands, police needs to work without bias and who knows if the Tamarind Court still has all the evidences and how long will the fight go.

Let's hope for the justice.

Best Regards,
--Ashish

ACA
you surely have an analytical mind... good thinking

Meanwhile, let's ponder over what the witnesses (who turned hostile) are facing, I think their fate is worse than they would have suffered otherwise. I mean now its a 'slow death' for them .... out of guilt for the rest of their lives. Earlier it could have been 'sudden death' !

Incidentally, NDTV continues to get sms's in support of their petition to the President seeking re-opening of the case ( some hrs ago the count was > 150,000). On this forum sadly, ACA and me seem to the only ones interested.

C'mon folks ... take some time off from your money-making pursuits (and cricket !) and spare a thought for the hapless victim's family.... come out with your feelings/theories/views/messages

AGILENT

Making an ass of Law:
Your concern for justice is appreciated.I am a great admirer of TJS George,the great columnist who regularly writes in Indian Express.In todays edition,he had written on Jessica & Zaheera & his concern for justice truly reflects the anxiety of every patriotic Indian.
You may add the notorious Icecream parlour case of Kerala aswell.
To repeat Justice must win.
ranga

On NDTV's petition:

Under the constituation of India, the president has not been conferred any power to issue any directive to the judiciary. It'll be tantamount to infringment of the rights of the judiciary. However, under article 147, he may seek opinion of the Supreme Court on matters of pubic importance.

The course of action available to any third person (Other than the accused and the State)is to file a Public Interest Litigation in the High Court or The Supreme Court. Besides, the police may also appeal against the order in the high court or an SLP under article 126 of the Constituation can be filed by the family of the victim.

As Media is just going to create hype and cash upon the public sentiments by doing some gimmics they know will not yield any result, it's better to stay away from them.

Best Regards,
--Ashish

Sir,

The problem is not of justice alone only. The major problem is the out-dated investigation methods of the police. They have failed to learn the new ways of investigation alongwith forgetting the old ones. Complete absence of any victim protection plan is the major reason why witnesses do turn hostile. The pace with which cases do move is the only problem plaguing the judiciary. Till the time first two problems are remedied, you are not going to see the justice.

Best Regards,
-Ashish

Well everyone, The Jessica Lal case was discussed in Parliament today...

Extraordinary ??

Hardly

What I find extraordinary is that on this forum , only a handful of people have found the issue worthy of comment .

( Remember guys.. the assassins are still on the prowl... one of us could be the next target ! )

AGILENT

(This post is for the sole information of those couple of people who may be interested ... and who might logon tonight)

Jessica Lal case will feature in a special program at 11 pm on Aaj Tak tonight .. they ran a special at 8 pm too

Candle light vigils were held at India Gate ... (probably inspired by Rang de Basanti) and more may follow

AGILENT