Four men and the law

The overburdened Indian judicial system needs an adrenaline shot to resolve lakhs of pending family court cases and prevent subverting of laws that are meant to protect and not coerce

- SHUTAPA PAUL

The lives of four young men and their trysts with the justice system shocked us this week. One that willingly incarcerated himself, another that walked free in spite of killing the third via a fatal chokehold, and a fourth that gave up and checked out of life.

Ivy League-educated, handsome Luigi Mangione has assumed cult status. His brazen shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson catapulted him into an anti-establishment hero raging against a corrupt corporate America. His six pack abs and intelligent, well-travelled persona didn't harm either. Donations have started pouring in to raise funds for his defense while thousands are supporting his actions.

Daniel Penny was another curious case that reached its culmination this week. Penny, a white Marine veteran, walked free this week after killing a homeless, black Jordan Neely by restraining him with a deathly chokehold on a subway car last year. Neely, a street artist, led a tragic life consumed by drugs, never quite overcoming his mother's violent death many years ago; she was found stuffed in a suitcase in 2007.

And the fourth young man is closer to home. Bangalore techie Atul Subhash committed suicide after alleging harassment from his ex-wife and the judicial system; he left behind a 90-minute long video and 24-page suicide note chronicling his mental, emotional, and financial torture.

All four cases raise valid and introspective questions on judicial systems. What is a crime, who is a murderer, who deserves to live or die?