chapter 3
Chess is perhaps the only game which doesn't involve much of a fortune. What's vital is just an open mind, that's why it's Sid's favorite pastime. Sid was playing chess with Akash, his associate cum secretary and his only friend figure in life. A few years back when Akash passed out from a law firm, he persuaded Sid to take him as his associate. 'I don't take associates. But I need someone to lift my files when I strode into the court. Do you want to join?' Sid said making a mockery of Akash. The wonder is Akash agreed to that. Akash just wanted to be around Siddhartha, at any cost despite his dismissive attitude. He knew he could learn oceans from Sid. Working with Sid was one of the hallowed honours that only bestowed on the most worthy. After moving the "Queen" three steps diagonally towards Sid's "King", Akash became optimistic about his triumph over Siddhartha. With a sense of delight mixed with fright, he said, "Check." Siddhartha already judged Akash's move even before it came into the mind of Akash. That's the beauty of the game.Sid lifted his "Rook" in hand, passed a cunning smile and said, 'you know Akash why I have left my "King" open for you to target it?' Akash opted to keep calm and listen to his boss vigilantly. Every word that came out of Sid's mouth had something deeply buried in it. 'Because when people get a chance to smack somebody they hardly care for their own defense. This is where they go wrong. I let people believe they are winning all throughout the game. It makes them weak.' Akash found out his mistake by then. His Queen was covering his King from Sid's Rook, but in order to target the opponent's King, he forgot to shield his own. "Check and Mate," said Sid and finished the game after he tickles the "King" of Akash. #### Sid reached the court to meet his new client. He asked his driver to park his car at the roadside near to the courtroom. It was the case of another business tycoon and a very influential MLA Animesh Mehta. Mr. Mehta was already waiting there for Sid. He spotted Sid's car and opened the left door of the car and entered inside. He was wearing a white Kurta pajama with cream-colored Nehru jacket. A red tilak, as always, was on his forehead to augment his personality and to maintain the image of a leader.'What exactly did your son do, Mr. Mehta? Tell me the truth,' asked Sid candidly. Sid didn't believe in wasting time. 'My son is innocent. It must be the opposition's ploy to trap him to wreck my image. Please rescue him Siddhartha, I can't see him going behind the bars,' said a vexed father. 'Mr. Mehta, I am not a judge or the media. I am your lawyer. I am here to help you. Don't lie. Tell me the truth,' Sid was fuming on the behavior of Mr. Mehta. The MLA kept on repeating that his son was innocent as if he was speaking in the debate of any news channel. 'Get out of my car,' Sid yelled out of annoyance. 'What?' Color drained from the visage of the MLA. 'If your son is so innocent, why do you need me? I don't fight for innocent people. I fight to prevail, not for the truth.' 'I don't like to establish something in the court which is already proven. Go and hire any regular lawyer for that purpose.' MLA kept quiet for a minute and then said, 'sorry Siddhartha, let me enlighten you with what happened that day.' The MLA folded his hands. He realized his gaffe and was sharp enough to cover it up. Before the MLA could have uttered a single word Sid said, 'it was Karan's birthday. He went to the pub to celebrate with his friends. He was totally sloshed, ordered more drinks late at night, but the bartender denied saying that it was the time to shut the counter, and they can't take any more orders.' Mr. Mehta was nodding as if listening to a tale. 'And then your beloved and irate son Karan burst the bartender's head with his empty beer bottle. Am I correct?' Mr. Mehta's silence was an attestation of Siddhartha's information.
'You already knew all this?' The flabbergasted MLA asked. He slapped the heel of his hand to his forehead in disbelief. He was being deliberately obtuse.
'You think I will meet you without a background check?'
This is what it takes to become the greatest lawyer in the country. You have to be acquainted with everything that happens around you, and sometimes vou should know even before it happens.
Sid knew the whole thing with tiny detail still he wanted to hear from the father of the offender. Maybe this was entertaining for him to break people whenever he gets the chance to do so.
'The bartender is admitted in the hospital in a critical state. My son is in a severe mess. Please help him.' The MLA pleaded.
"You wait for me in the courtroom. | will join you in a few minutes for the trial,' Siddhartha made a few phone calls and geared up for the case.
At 29, he was having a career of a superstar which was not only being talked about in legal circles but also made headlines around the country. A bear of a man who stood 6 feet 4 inches, Siddhartha was one of those larger-than-life trial lawyers and the man of the kind which we rarely come across. He filled the room wherever he went. He spoke whatever in his mind. And very often, he would guess what's on vours. You either lave him or hate him instantly. But there's no ignoring him.
'Turn off your mobile,' was written on a piece of paper stuck at the entrance of the courtroom. Unlike Parliament, they eapect silence in the court.
Justice Jaishankar Menon entered the court, and the bailiff shouted at the top of his lungs, 'all rise. Superior Court of the State of Maharashtra, Country of India, the Honorable Justice Menon's proceeding is now in session.'
There was a radiant glow on the face of Mr. Menon. He appeared calm and sober.
People silting in the audicnce stood up in his honor and sat back again, The court's proceeding started.
*My lord, this guy Karan is a threat to the societv. He has no fear of law and justice. In front of all the people, he hit a bottle on the head of
the poor bartender."
'And what was the fault of the poor guy? He followed the system of the bar and denied dishing up more beer to Karan and his friends. Is it a motive big cnough to almost murder a poor guy?' The prosecution lawyer said to introduce the case and to start the trial. He filled the roum with a restless, bristling energy.
'What is happening to people nowadays? Don't they have any fear of the police and the law? My lord, | appeal for a very hard reprimand for the guiltv, so that your decision becomes a landmark for the society and people will lear that they won't be left if they conduct such a serious crime.'
The prosecution lawyer looked at Sid before taking his seat.
His foreword of the case was followed by the claps from the audience Present in the courtroom which consisted majorly of the press and a tow outsiders.
'Wow, my friend. What « great speech you have delivered today," Siddhartha stood up and clapped.
*But how can you say Karan hit the bartender with the boule? Do you have any evidence or an eyewitness to attest the bogus story which you just made up?"
Before the prosecution lawver could say anything. Siddhartha said, 'my lord, Mr. Mehta is an esteemed politician. Ile is contesting the upconung election and to defame him. his opponents have knotted this rubbish story. Karan is innocent. agree that he was present there in
the bar that night. but he was not the one who hit the bartender And if Tam wrong, why docsn'! the proscculion present any cycwitnesscs?*
Complete silence occupied in the courtroom.
Lveryone's eyes were at the prosecution lawyer that whether he will be able to bring an eyewitness or not.
*Give me an hour to call an eyewitmess to this case,' prosecution was confident about it.
Justice Menon seemed to get convinced by him and ordered the proscc.ulion lawycr to prescal the cy-wilocss aficr the Junch break.
*The court is adjourned for an hour,' announced the judge and left the court.
*What will happen if he presents an eyewitness?' The MLA asked. It was natural for him to be worried. 'Don't worry, nothing bad will happen. At Icast. not today."
Sid was certain he can deal with it, After all, it was not the first lunch break ol his career.
The MILA was getting restless during the lunch break. You can't eat when your son és about to yet urrested.
'[ will buy the judge. I just can't handle the pressure," said the MLA with epidation in his cyes.
When money and power talks, the mind goes on vacation.
'What? No. There is no need. It could be too risky, What if be reluses the money?"
"hen | will offer him even more money," he was desperate. 'Everybody has a price."
'That way we could never win the case," Sid pleaded.
the bar that night. hut he was not the one who hit the bartender And if Tam wrong, why docsn't the prosecution present any cycwilnesscs?'
Complete silence occupied in the courtroom.
Liveryone's eyes were at the prosecution lawyer that whether he will be able to bring an eyewitness or not.
'Give me an hour to call an eyewitness to this case,' prosecution was confident about it.
Justice Menon seemed to get convinced by him and ordered the prosecution lawyer to present the eyewitness aller the lunch break.
"The court is adjourned for an hour,' announced the judge and left the court.
*What will happen if he presents an eyewitness?' The MLA asked. It was natural for him to be worried. 'Don't worry, nothing bad will happen. At Icast, not today."
Sid was certain he can deal with it. After all, it was not the first lunch break of his career,
The MIA was getting restless during the Junch break. You caz't eat when your sua is about to yet arrested.
*[ will buy the judge. I just can't handle the pressure," said the MLA with trepidation in his cyes.
When money and power talks, the mind goes on vacation.
'What? No. There is no need. It could be too risky. What if he refuses the money?"
"Then | will offer him even more money," he was desperate. *Everybody has a price.'
'That way we could never win the case,' Sid pleaded.
the bar that night. hut he was not the one who hit the bartender And if Tam wrong, why docsn't the prosecution present any cycwilnesscs?'
Complete silence occupied in the courtroom.
Liveryone's eyes were at the prosecution lawyer that whether he will be able to bring an eyewitness or not.
'Give me an hour to call an eyewitness to this case,' prosecution was confident about it.
Justice Menon seemed to get convinced by him and ordered the prosecution lawyer to present the eyewitness aller the lunch break.
"The court is adjourned for an hour,' announced the judge and left the court.
*What will happen if he presents an eyewitness?' The MLA asked. It was natural for him to be worried. 'Don't worry, nothing bad will happen. At Icast, not today."
Sid was certain he can deal with it. After all, it was not the first lunch break of his career,
The MIA was getting restless during the Junch break. You caz't eat when your sua is about to yet arrested.
*[ will buy the judge. I just can't handle the pressure," said the MLA with trepidation in his cyes.
When money and power talks, the mind goes on vacation.
'What? No. There is no need. It could be too risky. What if he refuses the money?"
"Then | will offer him even more money," he was desperate. *Everybody has a price.'
'That way we could never win the case,' Sid pleaded.
The MLA got silent for a moment. but within seconds he shamelessly said, "anything went wrong, I will make sure that the judge gels a transfer from this court beture our next hearing and a new judge will take the charge of our case."
"Okay, if you so frantically want to buy him. U will talk. Not you," Sid was sure that the MLA would worsen the situation.
The MLA left without uttering a single word.
Sid wap forced to talk to the judge olf the line. Menon was a new judge posied in that courtroom and Sid was fighting the first cane in front of him Had it been any other judge. Sid wouldn't have given it a second thought before offenng htm money.
Justice Mcnon was taking the hinch prepared by his wife when Sid
knocked on the door to his catun. He was cating it with bare hands without using a fork and knife. l'hat's how he was, polite and modest,
yet so influential.
Menon instructed Sid to sit on the chair placed in front of him and ollered him the (vod, "laste 1, my wile cooks delicious fovd."
'It's okay, ] have had my lunch,' said Sid.
'Tell me. what I can do for you, Mr. Siddhartha? I have heard a lot about you," asked Menon still taking his tunch.
*You can do a lot, but only if you want to Do you like eating this plain chapate with a single vegetable daily? I think you should eat tandoori chicken or so...' Sid said in disguise hinhag what he actually wanted 10 say.
'E don't eat non vegetarian on 'luesdays," said justice Menon. OF course. he got the hint but decided to act otherwise.
'i am talking about all the other days as well. You know it is a highprolile case and if the case will go longer, it will ruin the image of my chent Why don't we settle this case in this lunch break itself?" Sid grunted at him.
'Okay. { dom't want to stretch af either." The Judge said and conunued to take Ins meal without giving much importance to Sid.
'The case is set now, it is easier than | thought it would he.' Sid thought and asked, 'so what's the deal?"
'The deal is, ask your client to admit the charges and bear the chastisement of his sin, The case will be over in two munutes that way." Justice Menon rephed with a smirk on his face.
'Lven if my client accepts his charges, what good will vou get out of it? You will be eating this plain chapatti for the rest of your life. But if you agree to bear a little, you could cat biryani. Give it a thought."
"You know Mr. Siddhartha, over spicy and overpriced victuals aren't good for my digestion. See you in the courtruom,' Justice Menon's voice was higher than the usual.
If vou are honest, an inducement offer is like an abuse to the honesty.
Sid came out of the judge's room barchanded. MLA was waiting for him at the door.
'How much money he is asking fur?' MTA asked as svon as he saw Sid. He was certain that the judge would accept the offer. kverybndy seems corrupt to a corrupt person.
Sid was too fiirious to talk to him or to anybody clse. He didn': stop ta respond, just shook his head in denial and went away.
Court proceedings resumed after lunch, Justice Menon took his chair and so did the typewriter, audiences. lawyers and other people in the court.
The prosecution lawyer invited a juvenile software engineer to come to the fore and stand in the witness box.
"Young man, tell the court what is your name and what you saw in the pub that mght.'
'Sir, J am Lohit Bangali. I saw him taking one bottle of beer in his hand and smashed 1t on the head of the bartender, the guy said pointing his finger towards Karan standing in the witness box opposite him.
'That's all, my lord?" The prosecution lawyer said to rest his case.
The MLA's face faded. He was convinced of his defeat.
'LT object my lord.' said Sid. He still had to say somwthing, had to win it anyway.
'Objection sustained.' The justice allowed Sid to cross-examine the wimess.
*Whal were you doing at the bar when you saw that man hitting the bartender?* Sid went by the witness to ask him,
'Sir, 1 got a promotion at work, so 1 was there with my colleagues to celebrate it."
*That's good, best wishes for the same. How did you celebrate in a bar?"
"By drinking, sir, of course," he passed a smile recollecting the night of celebration.
*Was the light dim there in the bar when you were there?"
'Yes, sir, the light is usually dim in the bar.'
"My lord, what happened to the digmity of the court? How can we convict someone over the statement of a guy who was intoxicated in a bar and saw the convict in dim hght' Also, not to forget that he wears power glasses.
According to the law, we can't take the statement of a drunken man into consideration,
May I request bail for my chent till the time the bartender wakes up in the hospital and explains the whole scenario himself?" Sid yelled with jam packed vigor staring at the judge.
Justice Menon knew the truth. Sid's encounter with him in the lunch break cleared all his duubt, but because of lack of evidence, he permitted bail to Karan legitimately.
As soon as Justice Menan announced hail, the public prosecution stood up to object the verdict.
'The judge was trying to listen to him when Sid felt a piercing headache. He felt like the room was spinning. He felt a spasm of vertigo, and he collapsed there.
Sid's unconsciousness created havoc in the courtroom, Media personnel took his pictures for the front page of their publications and the MLA bit his nauls, literally.
The judge ordered tu hospitalize Sid and adjourned the court procecdings lor neat month.
Mr. Mehta called the ambulance himself as Sid was the only one who could save his son that time, and he could not take a risk on his son's life.