Will appeal verdict in high court: sister

Wednesday was judgement day for the D’Souza siblings. Both of them — hotelier Lalit D’Souza and his elder sister Lorna — reached the court on time.

Wednesday was judgement day for the D’Souza siblings. Both of them — hotelier Lalit D’Souza and his elder sister Lorna — reached the court on time. Lorna, the victim, sat just behind public prosecutor Nilima Kasture in the row followed by chairs meant for lawyers, whereas Lalit, wearing a checked shirt and jeans, was seated in the secured dock meant for the accused.

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Hotelier Lalit is accused of pumping six bullets into his sister Lorna following an argument in the parking lot of their Cuffe Parade building on October 28, 2007.

Both were eagerly listening to each and every word dictated by the additional sessions judge, without exchanging looks or making any attempt to speak.

Lalit’s eyes filled with tears, as the trial court accepted the prosecution case and declared him guilty. However, a broad smile emerged on his face after the court held him not guilty of the severe charge of attempt to murder.

Lorna’s face expressed completely reverse feelings. She appeared excited when the judge appreciated prosecution evidence, but her expression grew grim towards the end, changing to complete disappointment when Lalit was acquitted of the more serious charge and instead held guilty only for causing grievous hurt to her.

Expressing her displeasure, she said she would challenge the order before the Bombay High Court.