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Pandher's family cries 'injustice'; accuses media
Upset over the death penalty awarded on Friday to Moninder Singh Pandher by a special CBI court in the murder and rape of a 14-year-old girl, the Pandher family termed the decision as "injustice" and influenced by media.
Upset over the death penalty awarded on Friday to Moninder Singh Pandher by a special CBI court in the murder and rape of a 14-year-old girl, the Pandher family termed the decision as "injustice" and influenced by media.
"It's injustice. Injustice to my father," 25-year-old Karandeep Singh, son of Pandher, told PTI.
"My father has asked me not to appeal against the court's decision...But I will appeal in a higher court because I cannot live without my father," a nervous-looking Karandeep said, and sarcastically 'thanked' media for what he described as "influencing the judgment."
"Thanks to media. They (media) have thrown him to the dogs. From day one my father was accused (by media) of killing children. Media has ruined our lives," he said.
With a soaked eyes, Pandher's wife Devender Kaur said: "We are shattered. Justice eludes us."
Pandher's lawyer Devraj Singh said, "There was no mistake from our side. We will appeal and the nigher court will exempt my client. This is all because of media's pressure."
However, victim's parents and lawyer Khalid Khan hailed the court's decision, saying justice has finally prevailed.
"Justice finally has been prevailed. Despite CBI giving clean chit to Pandher, the court found him guilty. It shows that there is justice for the poor people also," Khan said and termed it as a "big slap" on CBI's face.
"The CBI gave a clean chit to Pandher and did not mentioned his name in the chargesheet. It is a big slap on CBI's face," 39-year-old Khan said.
"People's faith is reposed in judiciary after the verdict. We are very happy at the outcome," he said.
"It will set a precedent for the rest of the case (in the serial killings in Nithari)," the lawyer said.
On being asked whether the duo can get reprieve from a higher court, Khan said: "There is no chance. The High Court will also uphold this decision."
"We are very happy... We are thankful to Judge Rama Jain. It shows that poor people like us can also get justice. This is victory for all children in the country," said Anil and Dolly Halder, parents of the victim Rimpa Halder in whose rape and murder case the duo was awarded capital punishment by the court in Ghaziabad.
