State interference

The Edit, True lies (April 24) rightly says that a witness is the ‘eye’ of the crime and allowing him/her to get away with false testimony is as bad as letting a criminal walk free. The precedent set up by the Mumbai Court in invoking its power to punish ‘chameleon witness(es)’, if institutionalised, would ensure justice without undue delay.
But to prevent hostile witnesses from claiming that their initial statements to the police were made under duress, witnesses’ statement(s) should be recorded before a magistrate. It is possible that some witnesses change their original version under threat from people involved in the crime, and they do need to be protected.

RK Malhotra
Delhi

Spaced out

With the tenth consecutive successful launch of the PSLV, India is in a position to market its space launch capabilities. Even advanced countries may outsource technolgy from India as costwise, it is very attractive. With this, India has given notice that it is on track towards realising its Vision-2020.

HR Satyanarayana
Mysore

Jaya gelling

It was a pleasant surprise that UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav made even Aiadmk supremo J Jayalalithaa — known for her anti-Hindi attitude — speak in fluent Hindi to muster votes in the assembly-elections. This is not the first instance when a politician known for anti-Hindi attitude used Hindi for votes. Even her rival DMK adopted Hindi during its poll-campaign in Tamil Nadu to get votes from Hindi-speaking people there. It is good that politicians become practical according to the needs of time.

Subhash C Agrawal
Delhi

Racket ruckus

The involvement of two sitting MPs in the emigration racket is shocking. It is an insult to people’s faith and the Constitution. With every passing day, investigation into the racket is throwing up murkier details.

Madhulika Singh
Delhi

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First Published: Apr 24, 2007 23:34 IST