Should we give up?

Many of you would have heard of the Pallavi Purkayastha murder. And most of you, would have forgotten about it as well. I did too. Just like the other news that we hear every day. And there is so much of it!

Well, two years later, the story returns. This time with a lapse in the legal enforcement giving it a twist. The alleged murderer Sajjad Mughal is at large.

Here is the news excerpt as reported by the Indian Express.

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Pallavi Purkayastha murder case: Jail officer who okayed parole to Sajjad Mughal suspended

The Indian Express had on June 23 reported that Mughal, a building watchman who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Mumbai-based lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha, had jumped parole after being granted relief on the ground of his mother’s illness.

Written by Aamir Khan | Mumbai | Published:July 1, 2016 12:57 am

Sajjad Mughal  and above Pallavi (Source: Express archive)

A week after the first report on murder convict Sajjad Mughal jumping parole, the Maharashtra government Thursday suspended former Nashik jail superintendent J S Naik for recommending Mughal’s parole to the divisional commissioner.

The Indian Express had on June 23 reported that Mughal, a building watchman who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Mumbai-based lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha, had jumped parole after being granted relief on the ground of his mother’s illness.

Principal Secretary (Home) Vijay Satbir Singh confirmed the development late Thursday. Following the incident, a report indicting Naik was submitted to the government by Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) B K Upadhyay. The report sought action against Naik for recommending Mughal’s parole application to Divisional Commissioner Eknath Dawle.

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Some facts:

Life Sentence:

Almost two years after Mumbai lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha, 25, was killed in her Wadala flat by a security guard, the main accused, Sajjad Ahmed Moghul was convicted by a Mumbai court on charges of murder, molestation and breaking in.

Criminal Intentions:

Sajjad deliberately tripped the power twice that night, and stole the keys from Pallavi’s apartment when the electrician came to fix the problem.Sajjad was reported to have bought a knife 15 days prior to the crime and had told other building staff that he planned  to scare Pallavi and rape her. Sajjad confessed that his intent was not murder, but rather to rape the 25-year old. When Pallavi aggressively fought back, he used a knife to slash her throat. He was subsequently charged with muder, molestation and trespassing.

Parole:

Sajjad jumped parole and is not traceable. Maharashtra government suspended former Nashik jail superintendent J S Naik for granting the same.

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It is hard to comment on where this will take the case. But a few things are clear and can serve as a learning.

1. While nabbing and sentencing an accused was done successfully, a lapse of judgement or enforcement in the parole process could lead to disastrous consequences
2. Sajjad’s documented behaviour makes him a threat to people and society. A plan to identify him should be executed.
3. Mud-slinging and lack of ownership by the authorities is leading to white-washing action giving a semblance of some development to address the issue
4. The family, friends, and the legal team’s investment should be redeemed by quick and effective action

Here’s hoping that we can help save hope. Here’s hoping that we can save ourselves.

Alka Sharma

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Views expressed are personal

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