55. Judgement: hanging

CHAPTER 55

Judgement: hanging

It was judgement day for Afzal. There was tight security in the special TADA court. Press people were waiting outside.

Commando Ranjit, lawyers and police staff were inside. Afzal was standing in the box in chains.

Judge read the judgment. “This dangerous anti-national, Afzal, who has caused the death of thousands of innocent people all over the country by placing bombs since 5 years and also put a sketch to blast the assembly, has been given the capital punishment of death by hanging. On the day of 30^th of next month at 5:30 in the morning, Afzal will be hanged.” 

Afzal came out of the court with police. Ranjit looked at him and bit his teeth angrily. “You took the lives of thousands. You should have died because of my bullet. You escaped.”

Warning seriously, Afzal said, “Mister Ranjit, just watch. By the time I am hanged or after I am hanged, your dead body is definite to fall. My men will not leave you alone.”

Pointing his hand at Afzal, Ranjit said seriously, “Eh! Chal! Bastards. Anti-nationals.”

Ranjit had become a hero for catching Afzal. TV crew clicked his photos.

Journalist asked, “How do you feel about the judgment given to the most dangerous terrorist caught by you?”

 Happily, raising his hand up, Ranjit said, “Today is the happiest day in my life.”

Pointing to Afzal, Ranjit said, “Because that anti-national Afzal, who has become the cause for the death of thousands of innocent people has been given the correct punishment.”

Afzal looked at Ranjit seriously.

One lawyer said to another, “Really, Ranjit is great. Our judge Vankede has given the punishment very bravely.”

PUBLIC COMENTS ON TV:

One man said, “Born in this country and living in this country, eating from this country, these people are doing anti-national deeds to harm this country. They should be given capital punishment. Then only they will learn.”

One Islamic scholar said, “If they had read the Koran properly and understood it, they would not have done such saitan jobs. Islam will never forgive such anti-nationals. They are bringing a bad name to our community. They should be shot in public.”

Bilal and gang with Madani, Jilani, Jamal, Fakruddin and other anti-nationals were watching TV in a house near Masjid. Afzal arrest, Ranjit interview, public comments were all being shown on TV.  

Madani pointed to the TV and said angrily, “Before they hang Afzal we must finish that bastard Ranjit.”

Angrily, looking at Bilal, Jilani said, “Bilal bhiayya, you just give the order. Active group is ready. We will put a point tomorrow itself.”

Spitting fire like a demon, pointing to Ranjit on TV, angrily, Bilal said, “It is not so easy to catch that Ranjit. His eagle eye is such that, however far our men are, he is able to catch them. We have been trying since three years.”

Angrily, with a new spirit, looking at Bilal, pointing a finger, Madani said, “Bhiyya, give us one chance. We will drop his dead body within 15 days.”

With sadness and also anger, Bilal shook his head. “There are still 45 days for the hanging. I have made all arrangements. I will come back 4 days before the hanging time. By that time, my master plan will mature.”

All looked at Bilal with a new spirit.

Pointing to Ranjit on TV, Bilal said, “If my plan succeeds, first that Ranjit’s dead body will fall and then Afzal will be released.”

Bilal looked at his men seriously. “Till that time you should not do anything.”