‘If you don’t pull up cops for falsifying evidence, what stops them from doing so again?’

MUMBAI: Advocate Yug Chaudhry who led the defence of the 7/ll blasts accused acquitted last week, speaks to Jyoti Punwani about the significance of the Bombay High Court's judgment and how the victims can seek justice.

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What are the implications of the stay by the Supreme Court for the acquitted persons?

The fact that they were held innocent has not been stayed. Nor has their release. That's because the judgment is very sound.

The stay has been granted only because of the effect this judgment would have on other MCOCA trials currently on. Because the court agreed with our argument that for MCOCA to be applied, an accused must have been charge sheeted in two cases where the punishment is a minimum of three years, not a maximum of three years. That finding could derail other MCOCA trials.

This order must have had a bracing effect...

Not just the accused, for me personally as well. This judgment is that light I will look to when I am sunk in despair. It has restored not just my faith in the judiciary but in humanity and courage, in kindness and above all in human decency.

The acquittal of all 12 accused has stunned everyone. Did you expect it?