The trial of Aurangzeb

Justice Din Dyal filed a case against Aurangzeb. Remember the guy who perpetrated countless atrocities. They say justice is delayed but never denied. True. Centuries later, the hour has come when he faces trial for all the crimes committed against society, against his own family. Notice has been served at his durbar and the accused has agreed to appear in court when the trial begins next month. Let’s see how the drama unfolds.

This high profile case has the entire town of Nyaygarh in a state of frenzy. A special fast track court has been set up for the purpose. Lal Chand, the editor of the spicy local tabloid and a close ally of Justice Dyal, has granted extensive coverage to the historic case. In fact, he’s hyped it up by conducting an opinion poll to gauge public sentiment. Before the court could pronounce the sentence and the quantum of punishment, the public has already decreed that Aurangzeb should be hanged till death, even if he seeks mercy. Justice Dyal wasn’t surprised to read this verdict. It seemed to echo what he had believed in for so long.

On the day of trial, Aurangzeb arrived, with his retinue of key officials, dressed in bright royal robes and a silk turban bejeweled with precious stones. His carriage was pulled by two well-bred race-course retired horses. When the trial began, it became clear that the best legal luminaries were hired to defend him. And they did indeed put up a brave fight to save him from the gallows. They argued that his brothers were hopeless, lazy and weak-willed, lacking all the qualities a monarch should possess. So, unwillingly, he had to forcibly take over the reins of power otherwise greedy foreign states would have annexed the territory and that would have been a tragedy for the nation. Subsequent history is testimony to that. There was merit in the litany of arguments put forth as the case was now tweaked in national interest.

Aurangzeb pleaded innocence when asked if he repented having committed excesses. Justice Dyal was horrified to see such a ruthless, shameless ogre who stood smiling when the prosecution read out the long list of charges brought against him and the conclusive evidence put forth. His lawyers called it malicious and concocted, meant to malign the reputation of a modest, gentle, down-to-earth ruler who never drank liquor or womanized or butchered his subjects. It’s all the misdoings of historians who were not granted royal patronage. Hence they painted a wicked image of such a benevolent king.

Justice was not blind any more. Without according any further opportunity to the defendants whose arguments were found specious, Justice Dyal pronounced Aurangzeb guilty of multiple crimes and the punishment meted out was death by execution. Shocked Aurangzeb broke down hearing this verdict. Poor guy! He wasn’t prepared for such a harsh sentence. The crowd was huge inside the marriage hall turned law court. People thronged the venue to witness deliverance of justice, to reaffirm their own faith in the system of law. Cries of justice rent the air. Justice Dyal was moved to tears. He was glad to have finally done it. Labourers and carpenters swooped down and in no time the makeshift wooden structure was dismantled as there was a reception ceremony in the evening.

When the guilty was taken away, the local media swarmed around the lawyers for comments but they didn’t talk of any future course of action. No challenge, no appeal. Aurangzeb’s face was covered with black cloth and he was frisked away in a van, to be kept in solitary confinement for a week before being put to the gallows. The judgment was hailed as landmark by the press. There was jubilation in the air. Crackers were burst. Sweetmeats were distributed. Hail, hail Justice Dyal! Long live justice!

No jail in town or in the neighbouring ones could provide solitary confinement. They were infested with prisoners and under-trials. Hence Justice Dyal agreed to convert his servant’s quarters into a prison of sorts, to accommodate Aurangzeb for a week.

The news reached the police and administrative authorities that communal tension could break out in Nyaygarh. That some mischief was brewing somewhere. The cops got in touch with the editor hoping to get leads. Lal Chand explained the recent chain of events, particularly the trial of Aurangzeb, which the authorities claimed to have basic knowledge of. There was little doubt that this matter would flare up into a major one since the punishment doled out to Aurangzeb was exemplary in modern times. The editor added interesting snippets about Justice Dyal when he faced threats from the police regarding the closure of his press on account of supporting unlawful acts. On conducting further inquiry into the matter, it was revealed that Justice Dyal was no justice at all. Sham. Fake. Well, this man had desperately wanted to be a lawyer, a judge. But he had flunked the law exam. Always.

According to the editor, Din Dyal always cracked novel ideas. It was his idea of delivering justice to historical figures who couldn’t be tried during their lifetime for they were beyond the reach of law then. The modus operandi was simple and interesting. Actors from a local amateur theatre group were hired to play various roles. A venue was chosen. Audience invited. Din Dyal shelled out the entire expenditure involved in conducting the trial. The police inspector and the District Magistrate were amused to hear that the next to be grilled was Adolf Hitler! However, they had to take serious note of the unconstitutional activity because a parallel court of justice was operational in the town. It was suggested that the jerk be admitted in an asylum for treatment.

The cops wanted to know if Aurangzeb was indeed to be hanged. It would become a serious matter. In all probability it would be an effigy. Lal Chand couldn’t provide this vital information and hence they proceeded to Din Dyal’s bungalow. They were surprised to find Din Dyal weeping inconsolably in the verandah. Lal Chand asked him what the matter was and he feebly pointed to the servant’s quarter where they all rushed to. Two entwined naked bodies lay splattered in blood. As the cops charged him, Justice Dyal explained how in a fit of rage he had killed Aurangzeb with a kitchen knife for outraging the modesty of his wife. He was arrested and put behind bars.

The case came up for trial within a couple of months. He was accused of two gruesome murders. The best legal brains could do nothing to save him. Din Dyal was awarded the death sentence: To be hanged till death. The news was splashed in the local tabloid.