Emile wants to serve the nation: Lawyer

Shortly after the quantum of sentence was awarded in the Neeraj Grover murder case, Emile Jerome Matthew's defence lawyer Abdul Wahab Khan said that the accused should be given a chance to correct himself

For Emile Jerome Matthew, the verdict announced in Sessions Court room no 32 came after the longest two hours of his life.

A day after he was convicted under section 304 (sec I) of the IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) Sessions judge MV Chandwani announced a 10-year sentence for the crime. In addition to the sentence, a fine of Rs 1 lakh was also imposed on Emile.

Emile, who was serving as an officer in the Indian Navy, arrived in Mumbai on May 7, 2008 and murdered Neeraj Grover in Maria Susairaj's flat in Malad, Mumbai.

Maria has been handed a three-year sentence and a fine of Rs 50,000, for destruction of evidence.

Emile's lawyer Abdul Wahab Khan said that the incident was not a planned one.

He said it was sparked by a spur-of-the-moment emotional outburst. "There was no intention, or plan to the murder. It was a mere accident owing to impulsive provocation," Khan said.

He added that Emile was of a clean background. He had enlisted and joined the Indian Navy at the age of 18.

He joined the Services with the clear intention and purpose of serving the Nation. 'After serving his sentence, Emile would want to join his service and serve the nation once more,' said Khan.

In fact, in the courtroom, during the final arguments from the defence counsels, Khan had stressed on this fact and requested the court to take note of Emile's age, his conduct and the dependency of his parents on him for their livelihood.

"The Indian legal system allows for the rectification and improvement of convicted persons, so that they may be given a chance to correct themselves and have the opportunity to start their lives again," said Khan. "Even our society is based on the fact that no person should be banished or ousted for a crime. They are given ample opportunities to be penitent and repent for their wrongdoings."

The Sessions Court might have delivered its judgment. But both the prosecution, as well as the defence, are gearing up to take the legal battle to the High Court. Khan said that they would be looking forward to taking the matter up in the Mumbai High Court soon.

Note: Advocate Wahab Khan is also a defence lawyer for four of the accused in the 7/11 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case, and the Aurangabad Arms Haul case. Both cases are being heard by the Special MCOCA court in Mumbai.