At 10 p.m. on Thursday, Mohammad Hussain Fazili took his first breath of freedom in 12 years. His family said he’s yet to come to terms with the fact that he’s a free man now. He was an accused in the 2005 Delhi serial blasts.
“We can’t do anything about what’s been lost. We’ll try to build a life from now,” said his brother-in-law.
‘He missed everything’
Mr. Fazili, his brother and brother-in-law left for Srinagar early on Friday. Mr. Fazili’s brother said he’s going back home a stranger. “Weddings, birthdays, deaths... he missed everything. A lot has changed back home since he was taken away,” the brother said.
Lawyer Sushil Bajaj said Mr. Fazili was reunited with his family after verdict-related formalities were completed. “We might appeal for compensation, but that will be decided once I speak with the family. They are so fed up making rounds of court that they just decided to go home by road. They’ll reach home and decide the future course of action,” Mr. Bajaj said.
Dream come true
It was a dream come true for Mohammad Rafique Shah (34). His lawyer Rebecca John described his reaction on exiting Tihar Jail on Thursday night as “dignified and measured”.
“He called me around 10.30 p.m. and thanked me profusely for representing him. We had a brief conversation, after which he handed over the phone to his mother, who broke down,” she said.
When The Hindu tried to get in touch with Mr. Shah, a relative said leaving the city as soon as possible was of paramount importance. “We’re happy that he is out. We will leave Delhi by Friday night,” the relative said.
Ms. John agreed that safety of the client is priority in such cases. “Leaving the city and starting a new life is the best thing to do.”
However, the wait for freedom for Tariq Ahmed Dar, the only one among three to be convicted by the court for funding terrorist activities, will be a little longer. The case concerning his involvement in money laundering has been listed separately before the court for Saturday. “He is still in jail. We have moved his bail plea. We think he might walk out on Saturday. The family hasn’t spoken much because he was convicted after all, but they are happy that he will at least be freed,” his lawyers said.
