CHAPTER 21: "VERDICT"

  Three weeks later, Vikram stood before Justice Kavita Reddy as she prepared to deliver the verdict. The courtroom was packed—journalists, activists, Khanna's surviving gang members in the gallery glaring at him, and in the back, barely visible, Priya and Uncle Mahesh.

  Justice Reddy adjusted her glasses and began to read from the judgment.

  "This court has examined the facts of the case, the testimony of witnesses, and the legal precedents regarding self-defense under Section 96-106 of the Indian Penal Code. This is a complex case that sits at the intersection of law, morality, and the failure of state protection."

  Vikram's heart pounded. Meera sat beside him, her pen poised over her notepad, ready to file an appeal the moment the sentence was announced.

  "The accused, Mr. Vikram Sharma, has been charged with four counts of culpable homicide, illegal possession of a firearm, and related offenses. The prosecution has argued that Mr. Sharma's actions went beyond self-defense and constituted premeditated murder. The defense has argued that Mr. Sharma acted under extreme duress, facing an imminent threat to himself and his family from an organized criminal enterprise."

  She paused, sipping water. The silence in the courtroom was suffocating.

  "In the matter of the death of one 'Bunty' Prasad: The court finds that the accused acted in self-defense. The deceased had threatened the accused's minor daughter with grievous harm. The use of lethal force, while tragic, falls within the scope of the right to private defense under Section 100 of the IPC. The accused is acquitted of this charge."

  Vikram exhaled. One down.

  "In the matter of the death of Salim Sheikh: The court finds the evidence more troubling. The accused pursued and killed the deceased in a premeditated manner. However, given the context—the ongoing threat from the Khanna gang, the systemic failure of law enforcement, and the reasonable belief that the gang would escalate violence—this court finds that the accused acted under grave and sudden provocation. The charge is reduced from murder to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part II. The accused is found guilty."

  Stolen story; please report.

  Vikram felt his stomach drop. Guilty.

  "In the matter of the death of Ramesh Yadav, the warehouse security guard: The accused killed the deceased during the commission of a break-in. However, the evidence shows the accused was gathering evidence of criminal activity to expose the gang. The killing, while unlawful, occurred in a state of panic when the accused was discovered. This court finds the accused guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part II."

  Two guilty verdicts. Vikram's knees felt weak.

  "In the matter of the death of Karan Malhotra: The court finds that Mr. Malhotra was killed by CBI officers during a lawful raid. The accused is acquitted."

  "Regarding the illegal possession of a firearm: The accused is found guilty. However, the court notes the circumstances under which the weapon was acquired—fear for his life and the life of his family."

  Justice Reddy removed her glasses and looked directly at Vikram.

  "Mr. Sharma, you are not a criminal in the traditional sense. You are a man who was failed by the system meant to protect you. You are also a man who took the law into his own hands and crossed lines that, in a civilized society, must not be crossed. Your actions, while understandable, cannot be condoned without consequence."

  "For the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the death of Salim Sheikh, this court sentences you to seven years of rigorous imprisonment."

  "For the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the death of Ramesh Yadav, this court sentences you to five years of rigorous imprisonment, to run concurrently with the first sentence."

  "For illegal possession of a firearm, this court sentences you to two years, also concurrent."

  "However, considering the time already served, your cooperation with authorities in bringing down a major criminal enterprise, and the extraordinary circumstances of duress, the court suspends three years of the sentence. You will serve four years, with eligibility for parole after two and a half years for good behavior."

  She banged the gavel. "This court is adjourned."

  Four years. It could have been worse—much worse. But it was still an eternity.

  Vikram turned to look at Priya. She was crying, but she nodded at him. It was a small gesture, but it meant everything. She would wait.

  As the guards led him away, Meera touched his arm. "We'll file for early parole. Two and a half years, Vikram. You can survive that."

  Vikram nodded. Survival. That's all he had been doing for the past year.

  He could survive a little longer.