Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Fair and just

Sir, — Apropos your editorial "Justice done" ( Oct. 31 ), it is fair and just that the Delhi High Court has acquitted S.A.R. Geelani in the Parliament attack case, averting the death sentence awarded to him on flimsy evidence. The verdict instils faith in the strength of the judicial process and provides a good reason why POTA must go. The enactment of POTA only added fuel to the fire, stirring serious anxieties about the increasing abuse of power and disregard for civil liberties in the name of waging a war against terrorism.

R.R. Sami,
Tiruvannamalai, T.N.

Sir, — The editorial reminds me of Abraham Lincoln's message: "Let people know the faults and the country will be safe". Mr. Geelani has status and friends. He could appeal to prove his innocence. But what about the poor?

J. Edmond V. Rayen,
Tuticorin, T.N.

Sir, — The 16th century judges in Britain would not read newspapers lest they should be prejudiced by the versions in them.

P.V. Ramana Rao,
Guntur, A.P.

Sir, — In your strong campaign against POTA, you have forgotten that such coverage could have an adverse impact. Dismissal of a verdict of a lower court by a higher court is a common phenomenon.

D. Asokan,
Tiruvarur, T.N.

Sir, — Before criticising the criminal justice system after his release from jail, Mr. Geelani should have remembered that he is free because of the same system which requires strict proof of guilt.

S. Raghu,
Chennai

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