‘His murder is a lifelong grievance’

The family of 16-year-old Adnan Patrawala says that his death has grievously impacted their lives and they are yet to recover from the August 2007 incident.

“Our family has been shattered. It is a lifelong grievance. These four years have not diminished the grief. It is going to stay with us for the rest of our lives,” said Aslam Patrawala, Adnan’s father, at his 14th floor residence in Oshiwara on Monday after the sessions court acquitted his alleged killers.

Zulekha Ghani Patrawala, the boy’s grandmother, said that reminiscing about his death still brings her life to a standstill. “Since he passed away, we organise a reading of the Holy Quran every day at home to pray for his soul. He was a really nice boy, very respectful, full of life. Whenever he was around, the house would be lively. That life has been missing since the past four years,” said Zulekha.

Zulekha said that Adnan’s sister Feroza, a 24-year-old commerce graduate, has been affected the most. “She was shocked and was unable to accept his death. She was so taken aback that she quit her studies after the incident and resumed only a year later.”

Sophia Patel, the boy’s aunt, said that the family had imposed strict restrictions on the children about the people they befriend in the aftermath of Adnan being allegedly murdered by his friends. “For a really long time after Adnan’s death, we did not let the kids travel alone. We have instructed them to make us meet all their friends so that we are satisfied that they are not in wrong company,” she said.

Hoping for justice, Patrawala said the truth will triumph. “There is a court above all courts. There is a judge above all judges. And when he passes judgment, the truth will prevail and all those responsible for my son’s murder will be brought to justice,” the boy’s father said.