Anand’s case is heard in court

CHAPTER 24

Anand’s case is heard in court

Court hall was full of people. The media was outside waiting with cameras for sensational news.  Rekha, Vimal and other important people were all sitting inside the court. Hanumantraya stood up to speak.

“Your Honor, everyone in India including you knows who Anand is. His case has become sensational news in TV and paper. When Anand lost his legs due to the attack by MD, he went to State junior chess Championship on wheel chair. The second attack of MD left him with only one right hand. Yet he went to the National chess championship on stretcher and won the trophy. This wonder boy is now on his death bed all because of our chess academy and sports authority of India.”

Hearing this, Public prosecutor Ramraju became serious. He said, “Objection your Honour.”

Looking at Seetaram, Judge said, “Come on. You proceed.”

Seetaram said seriously, “Our defence lawyer said that Anand went to State level junior championship in wheel chair. But he has forgotten one thing. At that time Anand had only lost his legs. His hands were ok. He won using his hands. Later he went to National chess championship on stretcher. At that time his right hand was still working. That was why he got entrance to world championship. I request our defence lawyer to please remember this.”

All were shocked. Judge was listening seriously. Defence lawyer became serious.

Laughing teasingly, Seetaram continued saying, “Anand has been attacked by the MD for the third time. His whole body has collapsed and his body is as good as dead body. Tell me how can the chess academy send him to the world chess championship?”

Getting up, Hanumantraya said, “Objection your honour.”

Seriously, judge said, “Come on defence lawyer, you proceed.”

With a new hope, Hanumantraya said, “Anand is a boy with great will power and he is now well known all over India. It is the chess academy selection committee and the sports authority who selected him for the championship.”

Equally seriously, Seetaram said, “Tell me how can Anand, who is struggling between life and death, play chess with his hands? His body is fully crippled and it is like a dead body now. How can we send him as a representative of India when he is in so much pain?”

All looked at him in surprise.

Looking at judge, Seetaram said, “Your honour, I want to ask every one a question. Food ball is played with legs. If a person did not have legs, he cannot play food ball. Even though cricket is played with hands, the whole body movement is involved. Even if a person is 10% unfit, he is removed from the team. Now coming to this boy, his body is fully crippled and he will die any moment. In such a state, how can he play chess? How can he represent India? Didn’t our defence lawyer realize this?”

All were shocked.  Hanumantraya objected, “Objection, my Lord.”

Equally seriously, judge said, “Ok. You proceed now.”

With a force, Hanumantraya said, “My Lord, public prosecutor was right. Football is played with legs. To play cricket the whole body movement is necessary along with hands. Carom board is played only with fingers. According to our Public Prosecutor, all the games in the world are played with body movements.”

All were shocked. Seetaram smiled as if he had won.

Getting up, he said, “Your honour, I would like to compliment our famous lawyer Hanumantraya for having agreed to my argument. Even if there is 10% less fitness, the person will not get entry to International sports competition. When such is the case, how can Anand, who is waiting for death, get an entry?”

Everyone’s face was filled with disappointment. Rekha was shocked.

Coolly, Judge said, “Mr.defence lawyer, do you had anything to say?”

Hanumantraya started arguing immediately. “My Lord, I would like to mention one thing to you and the public. According to our Public prosecutor, body fitness is important for all games. Hence if there is some defect in body movements, the person cannot play. Food ball needs legs and carom needs hands. But there is one game for which the body movements are not required. That is chess. Chess is a mind game. It can be played without body movements. If the player tells the movements with his speech, the assistants who are called seconds in chess can make the movements.”

Judge smiled happily. All clapped. Rekha wiped her eyes happily.

Happily, judge said, “Yes chess is a mind game.”

Hanumantraya said, “Your honor, in spite of losing body parts one by one with sheer will power, Anand has won championship after championship to reach the world championship. He has become a role model for the youth of our country. Even though he is dying every moment, it is his greatest wish to gift the world chess cup as a memory. My lord, do you know that chess is breathe for Anand, He is breathing chess and not air. If he is not allowed to play he will die just as a person dies without oxygen. Right now he is ready to die not able to bear the pains in his body. If our chess academy cannot grant him permission to play chess, then at least he should be allowed to die. I am requesting the permission for mercy killing on behalf of Anand and his mother. Then he will be freed from the hell he is experiencing due to the pains.”

All were shocked. Hanumantraya wiped his eyes. Seeing this, Seetaram was shocked and went near him. He patted his back. Seetaram also had tears in his eyes.

Seeing this, judge said, “Mr. Public prosecutor, do you had anything to say?”

Looking at judge with sad eyes, Seetaram said, “My Lord, I have to defend the government as a prosecutor. But as a human being, I am also suffering like you in all regarding Anand. I leave the decision to you. I am sure that you will give a good judgment regarding Anand who is in death bed.”

Judge noded.

Hanumantraya requested, “My Lord, please do not delay the judgment of this case as Anand is struggling between life and death. It will be good if your judgment came while he is alive.”

Coolly judge said, “I know the facts. I will give the judgment tomorrow itself.”

The next day the court was again full of people eager to hear the judgement regarding Anand’s case. Judge entered the room and all stood up.

Judge looked at the people. “Sit down. I am now going to give judgement regarding Anand’s case.”

He looked down at the paper in front of him. “I feel very sad to give the judgment regarding the world famous boy Anand. As our layer said, chess is a brain game. Doctor Shrikanth has done tests and announced that even though Anand’s whole body is crippled, his brain was perfectly ok. One important thing to remember is that chess is breathe to Anand. Since he is now kept away from chess, he is experiencing extreme pains. So his mother has requested we must either give permission for mercy killing so that he can be freed from the pain or give him permission to compete in the world chess championship.  As a judge and as a human being, I request the sports authority and sports authority to consider the case again noting the point that the boy’s brain is 100% perfect and that the whole world is agreeing that we must allow Anand to fulfil his last wish.”

All were happy to hear this. Judge looked at Rekha with a smile. She too smiled happily.