Monday, July 17, 2017

Justice for Jeet

Who is Jeet? What justice does he need?

If you have any of the above questions on your mind, or maybe even a single question mark about the intent of this Blog, congratulations! You indeed are a target audience for me today. For my singular aim is to make you think. Not just because I believe that our thoughts are often the prerequisite for, or rather, a precursor to our actions, but also because I hope that the pen is mightier than the sword, and the readers who get to read what the pen writes, the mightiest.

So dear mighty mind, lend me your eyes, for I wish to introduce you to Jeet, yes, the same one in the title. So here goes…
 

Jeet is my cousin sister Paulami’s brother-in-law. Or in other words, my brother-in-law Dheeman’s younger brother. He is the dedicated son of Kakoli, the nephew of his loved uncles and aunts, the uncle of our nephew Hridhaan, a trustworthy friend of many, and a dedicated employee at TCS. 

Jeet or Dushtu, as he is naughtily referred to, loves to spend time with his family and his friends, be if from the locality where he grew up in - Paikpara, his college - Heritage, where he got his MBA from, or with his bandmates from his musical band which he hopes will one day fulfill its shared dream of being known to one and all. There are three other things that Jeet loves – Biriyani, travel, and bikes.


Sorry, I should have been more accurate about what I just said. It should have been ‘loved’ instead of ‘loves’, ‘was’ instead of ‘is’, and ‘hoped’ instead of ‘hope’. Because everything I described was true once, but not anymore. Because Jeet is no more.

On 5th August 2017, he would have turned 29 years old, but that it seemed was not to be. He passed away on Sunday evening right next to his bike, a few minutes too late for a get-together at the three storied house where his maternal uncles lived, at the end of the narrow lane in a North Kolkata locality. He never did get to have the Biriyani that was prepared, or discuss any of the plans about where the entire family of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces were supposed to go to next (Himachal Pradesh, etc). Because life it seemed had other plans.

One of which included four friends getting drunk. And then, one of them deciding to drive a car belonging to his rich and influential father, in a narrow lane of a North Kolkata locality that they belonged to. The same locality where a gentleman had severely reprimanded him for driving rashly just two days back. But what mattered more was their plan and their brand new car.

The car rushed towards a three storied house outside which stood a young man waiting for his cousin to throw the keys to unlock the gate, even as his brother and sister-in-law were on their way to join him and the others for a family get-together.

There was a terrible crash as the car crushed the young man into the gate puncturing his lungs, even as his family just a few feet away screamed in shock. And even as the young man breathed his last, and neighbors from the locality rushed to the spot, the occupants of the car ran.

The son later surrendered to the police claiming that he was not behind the wheels. Instead, he had left the ignition on, and one of his 'friends' might have driven the car, finding the keys in it. The rest of these 'friends' are nowhere to be found. There was soon a posting of the Police in front of his house, even as the family of the young man who had rushed him to RG Kar Hospital were told that they were too late…That Jeet is no more.

A Parliamentary Committee has already reported that Drunk drivers causing death should be tried for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and an accident caused by drink driving should be treated as a planned crime and not an act of “negligence”, as is the practice.

But then, can someone whose Blood is yet to be tested for Alcohol consumption within 12 Hours be proved to be under the influence of alcohol? Can someone possibly rash drive in a narrow lane where cycles are the norm, maybe bikes even, but rarely cars, and too an Eeco? Can a car possibly crush a man onto a gate that lies by the side of the road, and not its end? Can someone really end up getting Police protection for themselves, while the victims are left to fend for themselves? And finally, can a simple purported ‘harmless’ accident cover up a motive that may never quite be revealed? I don’t know.

All I know is that this is no case of random strangers losing control along a highway or a main street thus causing the death of a passerby, co-passenger, or pedestrian. This case has more to it than meets the eye. But with every passing moment, it seems to be heading towards an open and shut case where lack of evidence might lead to a trivial sentence, or worse - acquittal.

This Durga Puja, Jeet was all see to celebrate the release of his first Album with his friends and family. Instead they have been forced to release sentences to the Media, while he looks on, merely a garlanded photograph. He will never see a movie again. Never experience the joy of visiting a new place. Never know what it feels like to get married to the love of one's life, or for that matter, the joys of holding one's own child in his arms. Jeet would never sing, never laugh, never cry, and never ever get the joy of having a dream that might one day get fulfilled - because someone decided to present the Ghosh family with their worst nightmare - His Death.

A life has been nipped in the bud, be it through an irresponsible accident, a carefully planned murder, or an act of intimidation gone wrong. But there is a way to set things right – through Justice being served. But for that, there has to be more minds that think, and even more voices who demand for the truth. Only then can we finally get to know how and why exactly Jeet Ghosh died on Sunday, 16th July, 2017.

Media coverage of the Incident is as follows:

Times of India

The Telegraph

Anandabazar Patrika

32 comments:

  1. A tragic story.. feeling so sorry for Jeet and his family. May his soul rest in peace.

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  2. Thanks for your kind words Akbar. Please help spread the word by sharing this, or talking about this incident. I have updated some media coverage about this as well. This I feel is the least than can be done. #JusticeForJeet

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  3. It's a sad story and I hear such stories very often now. Drunk and rash driving should be stopped.

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  4. Yes Andy. Its sad and true. What's also true is that every time someone talks about it, one more voice gets added to the demand for Justice. Every voice counts. Hope you share this to spread the word further... #JusticeForJeet

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  5. This is saddening. This is not an accident but a murder instead. We need more just laws. The culprit shouldn't get a pass on the basis of a technicality. #JusticeForJeet

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    1. Thanks for sharing your opinion on this Devanshu. I hope you spread the word on this so that we can have #JusticeForJeet

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  6. It's a very tragic incident
    I cannot believe today that jeet da is not there in us
    That or whoever did this with the help of the work,, we want to punish them,

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    1. What has happened is beyond shocking Dipika. But let our sadness not stop us from speaking when it matters the most. Let us raise our voices as one and keep spreading the truth. I believe this will indeed lead to #JusticeForJeet

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  7. I knew Jeet da from class XI, he was my senior in coaching class called "Edu-Care Coaching Centre" which is run by Mr. Sudipta Saha popularly known as "DADA". Jeet da was actually very fun loving guy with a happy go lucky nature. He always love to put smile on everyone's face. He was very lovable & friendly because of his sweet behavior. When I came to know about the incident I was really hard to believe that I would not been able to see his smiling face again. Whoever will found guilty must be punished. May God rest his soul in peace. If possible please come back, we really love you #Jeet da.
    #JusticeForJeet

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    1. Thank you Rahul for spreading yet another aspect of Jeet that made him so popular with one and all. Like you, I too hope the culprits are punished. Let us raise our voices as one and keep spreading the truth. I believe this will indeed lead to #JusticeForJeet

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  8. ভাই হারতে পারিনা, হারতে চাই না

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    1. We have already lost Jeet. We can't lose again. Let's stay united and raise our voices to ensure #JusticeForJeet

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  9. We seek Justice. It is essential. Otherwise we wont stop. We lost one close soul, we expect the guilty to be charged strongly and not left easily. Only then can Jeet(Dushtu)Da rest in peace.

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    1. Absolutely true Sohyle! Let us raise our voices as one and keep spreading the truth. I believe this will indeed lead to #JusticeForJeet

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  10. আমি জিৎ দা কে চিনি কিন্তু সামনাসামনি দেখা হয়নি একবারও।।। কিন্তু দাদার সম্বন্ধে যা জেনেছি শুভাশিস দার থেকে।।।। সমস্তটা জেনে যা মনে হচ্ছে এটা plan করে কেউ করেছে।।।। কারন দাদার সাফল্যটা হয়তো কেউ দেখে সহ্য করতে পারেনি।।।। আমি চাই দোষী দের যেন চরমতম সাজা দেওয়া উচিত।।।।।

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    1. Thanks for sharing yet another aspect of the truth. I hope we can continue to raise our voices as one and keep spreading the truth. I believe this will indeed lead to #JusticeForJeet

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  11. We all want the proper investigation and know the real truth lying behind this incident. We should also not tolerate these types of persons in our locality, how influential they may be...we all want the justice not only for the victim, but also all of the inhabitants of our locality for all grounds(not only rash driving).... To tell the truth, rash driving has become a common incident in our locality, there are very poor service to control that...we all want the truth to be revealed.

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    1. Thanks for highlighting the menace Ritam! We have to ensure we are united as one so that no one can dare menace anyone else in the future. Let us raise our voices as one and keep spreading the truth. I believe this will indeed lead to #JusticeForJeet

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  12. We all want the proper investigation and know the real truth lying behind this incident. We should also not tolerate these types of persons in our locality, how influential they may be...we all want the justice not only for the victim, but also all of the inhabitants of our locality for all grounds(not only rash driving).... To tell the truth, rash driving has become a common incident in our locality, there are very poor service to control that...we all want the truth to be revealed.

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    1. Indeed Ritam! All we need is #JusticeForJeet

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  13. My friend Akash shared this tragic incident with me telling me that Jeet da was his own elder brother. There is no doubt to the fact that he was a very talented soul and didn't deserve to die so young and healthy. I pray to God that his parents and his family get the justice. May the truth get revealed and justice is done. Jeet da, rest in peace..

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    1. Thanks for your comment and wishes for the family. Please pray for Jeet and let's all hope and wish for #JusticeForJeet

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  14. Rest in peace jit da..
    We never have a conversation but still it hurts. I have listen a lot about and one thing that is very special " briyani mane jit da".

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    1. Jeet and Biriyani always went hand in hand. It seems unbelievable that he had to die in such a tragic way just minutes before he was to meet his family and have his favorite dish - Biriyani. I hope you, like everyone else, will hope and pray for not just his soul to RIP but also towards #JusticeForJeet

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  15. He was my office colleague...He was a very good human being & talented boy....We want proper justice for Jeet....RIP������

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    1. Thanks for your comment and support Sathi! I hope our voices are not ignored and the family indeed get what they deserve - #JusticeForJeet

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  16. Jeet was my office colleague. He was truly a good human being. Its really a trajic incident. Its time to take strong action against those culprits..

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    1. Thanks for your support Anirban. I believe we can, and we will get #JusticeForJeet

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  17. Jeet was my school friend, he was a good student and a good sportsman as well. I know him from class 6, he was the most helpful and active guy at school that time. I used to spend almost whole day at his house with him. The memories are unforgettable. It's really hard to believe that he is not with us. May his soul rest in peace. Need justice for my friend jeet.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your childhood memories of Jeet! I believe we can, and we will get #JusticeForJeet

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  18. First off, so sorry for the loss of such a promising life. Secondly, I can Completely understand your frustrations as a family member, citizen of India. It just so happens that all of feel this helplessness at such injustice and unfairness, our blood boils, our nerves stretched too tight as we see the Perpetrators getting protectes instead of getting arrested. Still, however bleak it may look,Do not give up the good fight...

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    1. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and support Mona! It really helps to know that one is not alone. Now, as far as fighting for what is right is concerned, I believe we can, and we will get #JusticeForJeet

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