INSIGHT
story, primarily the point that outrage over her molestation was sufficient to explain the rioting that erupted in its wake.
Outline of ‘Conspiracy’ The judgment concludes that the conspiracy was executed in the following manner: A group of Muslims forced some vendors on the platform to alter the coupling between the coaches and halt the train near Railway Cabin A. Hundred and forty litres of petrol had been bought and stored the previous night in a guest house3 close by. Seven men loaded a rickshaw with seven 20 litre jerrycans4 of petrol and came to Cabin A. The train had by then been stopped there as per plan. They went first to coach S-2 to set it on fire but the passengers extinguished the burning rag that was thrown in. They next ran to S-6. Three of them got into the vestibule between S-7 and S-6 after cutting the canvas screen. One of them named Jabir kicked the bolted metal door between the two compartments and broke it open, to move into the crowded passage of S-6. He opened the
coach door to let in three others. Six of them stood in the coach passage and poured jugfuls of petrol on the floor. The miscreants got off the train, even as an accomplice threw a burning rag on the floor of the coach passage to light the petrol. In coming to its conclusion that this was how the train was set on fire, the judgment relies chiefly on three factors. • The first factor consists of forensic reports which refer to petroleum hydrocarbon residue in a set of samples taken from the yard around the train and in burnt matter scooped out from coach S-6.5 Another forensic report describes the sliding door between S-6 and S-7 as open but jammed into the toilet wall. A long scratch sighted on the door is visually matched with its bent stopper, to infer force from the S-7 side. A damaged door in a coach ravaged by fire is hardly a wonder. But the scalded portions around S-7 are seen as indubitable proof of an open door to allow the heat and flames to pass. Sounds of knocking on that door heard by passengers standing in the passage of S-6 near the vestibule are
taken as confirmation that the door was broken open by the “assailants” – although not one passenger speaks of either an assailant or of the door breaking. • The second factor rests on the statements of two employees of a local petrol pump that 140 litres of petrol were sold on the eve of the fire to some of the accused men. They had said nothing of the kind when questioned about a month after the fire. One year later, they came up with this story of which there was no record shown. • The third factor is the confession of Jabir plus the evidence of two witnesses who appeared many months after the incident to claim that they had witnessed the entire operation. Other things being equal, direct witnesses to the criminal act and its preparation would make out a plausible, even reasonable case. But here, other things are far from being equal. Then, the judge has brought to bear upon the issue a logic entirely private, unaffected by law or record.
Recruitment of an Economist as Research Fellow / Visiting Research Fellow The Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), an autonomous research institute within the National University of Singapore (NUS), is seeking to recruit a research fellow in economics. ISAS welcomes applications from researchers with specialisation(s) in climate change, education, health, infrastructure, poverty and other areas of economic development. Applicants must have a major focus of research experience and interest in the economic development and policy issues of South Asia, and should have a PhD with at least 3 years of relevant experience. Applicants with publications in peer-reviewed journals will be preferred. Remuneration will be internationally competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Vacation leave and medical benefits will be provided. Other benefits may include housing and settling-in allowances. Your application package should consist of a covering letter, clearly stating how you fulfil the requirements of the position; a detailed curriculum vitae; and copies of your certificates and transcripts. Please send your application to: The Acting Head of Administration Institute of South Asian Studies 469A Bukit Timah Road #07-01, Tower Block Singapore 259770 Email: isasrecruit@nus.edu.sg Application closes on 30 April 2011. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified. 40
april 9, 2011
vol xlvi no 15
EPW
Economic & Political Weekly