Original subtitles

Your Honor,

the defense counsel is obstructing my cross-examination

and interrupting my line of questioning.

Mr. Bukhari, take your seat.

Of course, Your Lordship.

What did Maqsood cook for dinner that night?

For dinner?

He made chicken curry, kebabs, meat curry, and biryani.

You served the meal?

Did you happen to get a good look at what Maqsood had prepared?

Mr. Kamran is very fond of Chinese food and fish.

Maqsood prepares that for every party,

so I assume that's what he made.

Did you see them when they were both having dinner?

Mureed and I served the dinner.

What was Ms. Sehar wearing?

So, what was Ms. Sehar wearing?

A shalwar kameez. A golden one.

She was wearing a shalwar kameez.

A golden one.

You and Farzana not only clean the home of the accused, Kamran's home,

but you also oversee everything, correct?

Yes.

On the night of the incident,

did you and Farzana serve dinner for Ms. Sehar and Kamran?

Yes.

Farzana and I set it out together.

Which means you saw Ms. Sehar with your own eyes?

Yes, yes. Of course, I saw her.

What was Ms. Sehar wearing?

A golden shalwar kameez.

You saw Ms. Sehar that night,

so what was she wearing?

She was wearing a shalwar kameez.

It was golden.

And what about Mr. Kamran?

I beg your pardon?

You don't remember?

I didn't really notice that, madam.

You served the food, you saw Ms. Sehar,

and you even recall what she was wearing.

So, what color did Mr. Kamran wear?

He was wearing a blue suit.

I remember now, madam.

Mr. Kamran was wearing a white shirt

and either black or blue pants.

Mr. Kamran was wearing a black suit.

Did you hear the sounds of Sehar and Kamran's argument?

Yes.

Madam, but I've already told you this, haven't I?

You could hear them arguing at that time?

Um...

Yes.

We heard it then.

When we were clearing the dishes,

we could hear arguing coming from the dining room.

You both heard the voices.

Meaning, you and Farzana did. Because?

Because Maqsood had already gone to his room to sleep after cooking.

He was tired.

Brilliant.

Did you also hear the sound of dishes shattering?

Well, when there's a fight in the dining room,

some dishes are bound to break, aren't they?

Did you see the broken dishes?

In the morning, when Mureed and I went to clean the room...

we saw them then.

Are you married?

Yes.

Then your husband must have been quite upset

that you had to go down to the station for questioning.

For a thorough investigation,

the police often summon people multiple times.

But we never went to the station.

Eight days later, when Inspector Shafiq came to the house,

we told him the absolute truth.

And when the police were investigating,

were you, Dilawar, Farzana, and Maqsood all present together?

That...

I'm afraid I don't remember that, madam.

I guess we were questioned one by one.

Were you questioned only once?

Sorry?

Yes.

You have an impressive memory for detail.

You recall what was served for dinner,

the exact color of Sehar and Kamran's clothing.

You even claimed that nobody was nervous during the questioning.

So just answer one more question truthfully for me.

Where in Kamran's house were you questioned?

You must remember that.

Tell us, Dilawar.

At my post, in the room by the gate where I’m on duty.

The questioning was in the drawing room, madam.

That's where Mr. Kamran always entertains guests.

Where in the house were you interrogated, Mureed?

Outside, on the lawn.

I was interrogated near the gate.

I was questioned in the kitchen. I have no idea about the others.

How many police officers were there when you were questioned?

I don't recall, madam.

Only the inspector was asking the questions.

And who was the most nervous while being questioned?

You, Maqsood, Mureed, or Dilawar?

Only people with something to hide get nervous, madam.

We told the police the absolute truth.

So you were all interrogated together?

Yes. That's right.

And Dilawar was questioned with the rest of you?

Yes, we were all there.

They questioned those three first, then it was my turn.

Why did you stop Sehar when she was leaving the house that night?

That's an outright lie! I never stopped her, madam!

Did the police ever summon you to the station?

No, they didn't.

Are you certain you saw Sehar that night?

Yes, perfectly certain.

Was she crying when she left?

No, she wasn't.

Was she angry?

No, she seemed perfectly calm.

The other three servants claim there was a massive fight inside the house.

There might have been,

but she was perfectly calm when she left.

When Ms. Sehar arrived that night,

did Mr. Kamran come outside to greet her?

No.

I was the one who escorted her in.

Your Honor, the contradictions in each witness's testimony are glaring.

Your Lordship,

I am standing before you.

It's hardly surprising if they're nervous or get a detail wrong.

They're not professional actors or members of some debating society.

Exactly. That's right.

They aren't professional actors, Mr. Bukhari.

And it's painfully obvious you didn't prepare them,

because their performance is just dreadful. I have to say.

You just had to pick that one thing apart, didn't you?

It was a slip of the tongue!

These people are house staff, earning an honest living!

And you expect them to recall microscopic details

and then call it a contradiction?

How can you possibly do that?

Your Honor.

The police questioning did not happen at the station,

but at Kamran's own home.

They all remember that much.

But whether they were questioned together or separately...

who went first and who went last, nobody can seem to recall.

My client, Ms. Sehar, was wearing a golden dress.

They all remember that.

But what colour was Kamran wearing?

Nobody has a clue.

What was for dinner that night?

Where exactly in the house did this supposed fight take place?

Nobody remembers that either! How is that possible, Your Honor?

All these inconsistencies prove one thing.

They have been coached.

They were specifically told what lies to tell.

It all falls apart because my questions aren't the ones they prepared for.

Which explains why they're all so flustered.

Why?

Because my questions are clearly not on their syllabus.

I'm delighted to hear, Your Honor,

that prosecution counsel has now progressed from a single contradiction

to an entire sea of them.

I think for the witnesses to keep up with her,

they'll need to start eating almonds for breakfast to sharpen their memory.

Let's be clear, the issue here is simple.

Just one question arises...

Did any of the house staff hear anything or not?

Where was any given employee at the time?

In the kitchen, walking past a cabinet, in the lounge?

Nothing more.

But with the trivial details she's demanding,

I fully expect her to ask if the bread was whole-wheat,

if the rice was fried,

if the fish was grilled or fried,

and whether the meatballs were stuffed with egg.

Where on earth is this line of questioning headed?

Does she want to know who held their fork in which hand?

How many bites did everyone take?

How many grains of rice did Ms. Sehar consume,

and what was the meal's calorie count?

What is all this? This feels less like a trial

and more like we're dissecting the menu

for the prosecution counsel's next dinner party.

Why are we doing this? Let me tell you, Your Honor.

We're entangled in this pointless discussion

because one simple fact unsettles the prosecution counsel

that all the servants were present at my client Kamran's home that day.

That is the thorn in her side. Nothing more.

We're heading towards the truth, Mr. Bukhari,

and that's precisely what's making you so nervous.

This is the single most damning piece of evidence, Your Honor.

This proves beyond a doubt that none of their testimonies add up.

Their statements are contradictory,

and it's all right there for you to see.

Then how, Ms. Beenish,

does any of this substantiate the rape allegation made by Ms. Sehar?

That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?

These contradictory statements

are the crucial link in proving that very allegation, Your Honor.

That night, the staff members Maqsood,

Farzana, and Mureed were not at the house.

And that is exactly why their accounts of the incident simply don't line up.

And what about the guard, Dilawar?

Was he at the house that night?

Yes, Your Honor.

Dilawar is Kamran’s most loyal employee.

The truth is, Mr. Kamran was worried his other employees

might reveal everything to his wife, Ms. Kiran.

So you're suggesting Dilawar was complicit in this entire incident.

I don't know anything, sir.

I have already told you everything I know.

Did anyone ask for your input?

Stay quiet.

Yes, Your Honor.

Dilawar, the employee, knows everything

because he was the only one present that night

who saw the entire event unfold with his own eyes.

I fail to understand why you're now putting Dilawar through the wringer.

Anyone could have seen what happened,

but a security guard's job is to see.

I wish you were a better storyteller,

but I'm sorry to say, you're not.

You are simply concocting a new story out of thin air.

No evidence, no corroborating witnesses,

just one fantasy after another.

First, it was a baseless rape allegation.

When that began to fall apart, you moved on to this.

I have one simple question for you.

You allege that,

aside from Dilawar, the other three employees were not at Mr. Kamran's house.

In that case, how do you explain the police investigation

tracing all of their mobile phone locations to my client's residence?

Why do you insist on repeating these unfounded accusations?

Yelling won't prove your point, Mr. Bukhari.

This isn't an accusation. It's the truth,

and today's testimonies have made that clear.

Once the prosecution

begins its cross-examination of the defense's witness, Mr. Rohit,

the truth will be laid bare for all to see.

Is Mr. Rohit present in court?

Your Lordship, he is feeling quite unwell.

The defense has decided to withdraw him as a witness.

With the court's permission,

we would like to have it noted that he will no longer be testifying.

At this late stage in the proceedings?

Why are you taking this step now, Mr. Bukhari?

Your Lordship, are you really asking me that?

Are you testing my abilities? You know as well as I do

that the defense may call upon whichever witness it deems fit

and withdraw them at its discretion.

Yes, Your Honor.

The defense counsel is, for once, absolutely correct.

How generous of you to finally admit I'm right about something.

The law allows the defense to withdraw any witness at its discretion.

However, the law itself gives the court the power

to summon anyone as a court witness under Section 540 of the CrPC.

Very well.

This court, under Section 540 of the CrPC,

orders Mr. Rohit to be present at the next hearing.

That's not really necessary, Your Lordship.

I also request the court to re-summon the IO of this case, Your Honor.

Due to the contradictions in the statements,

certain questions have come up.

So, are you suggesting the police investigation is flawed, Ms. Beenish?

Your Honor, the police neither confiscated the accused Kamran's phone

nor did they conduct a forensic analysis.

On top of that, as you're well aware, all of their statements are contradictory.

What in the world is going on here?

Will someone please tell me what's happening?

She's trying to reinvent the wheel.

At this stage of the case, does the prosecution

really want to declare one of its own witnesses hostile

just to cross-examine them?

My God, what is she up to?

The interesting part, Mr. Bukhari,

is that you yourself were against the police investigation and their report.

You were the one

who accused the Investigating Officer of framing your client,

your client despite having no evidence and giving an advantage to Ms. Sehar.

And today, when the prosecution is questioning him,

you are defending him?

Your Lordship, my objections regarding Inspector Shafiq still stand.

As for her questioning the IO's investigation,

in principle, that should benefit my client.

But that's not the point.

The point is, there's an entire agenda behind all this.

-Your Honor... -One moment, Ms. Beenish.

What plan are you talking about, Mr. Bukhari?

I'll explain, Your Lordship.

The case is approaching its logical conclusion.

We all know the final arguments are about to begin,

and my client is on the verge of being acquitted.

And just now, she's questioning the IO's investigation

simply to drag this out endlessly.

She's doing this so my client and his family continue to suffer this torment.

How long will this mental torture last?

Your Lordship, I must say...

if this carries on,

I'll be forced to state the obvious that justice delayed is justice denied.

Firstly, Mr. Bukhari,

this court has conducted this trial

with utmost speed under the new laws.

So, the question of justice delayed is justice denied does not arise.

Secondly, how did you assume

that your client is going to be acquitted?

Your Lordship, my experience tells me

that without any concrete evidence or witnesses,

this court cannot convict my client.

Your Honor, if I may, I'd like to say something.

Sure.

It seems the defense counsel is jumping the gun with his final arguments.

Perhaps he thinks his client is walking free today.

Your Lordship, I am not presenting my final arguments.

I am simply answering your questions. That's it.

Mr. Bukhari, many important questions arose

during the cross-examination of the witnesses.

Questions this court wants answers to.

I'm sure you will have no objection...

if this court uses its legal authority

to summon Inspector Shafiq for further questioning.

Well, Mr. Bukhari?

Yes. Of course, Your Lordship. Why would I object?

Alright. Inspector Shafiq, the investigating officer for this case,

will be present at the next hearing.

This court is adjourned.

All rise.

Manisha, you need to talk to Rohit.

You have to make him understand before Kamran pulls another trick.

I'll do my best.

Please.

Despite the servants' statements contradicting each other,

why didn't the judge take any immediate action?

Because all that does is weaken Kamran's claim

that Sehar falsely accused him.

But Kamran's crime will only be proven

when Rohit testifies in Sehar's favor.

Manisha.

You've been such a pillar of support for Sehar.

You just don't see that kind of thing these days.

But...

maybe you could try speaking with Rohit one last time?

Mom.

Please don't put any more pressure on Manisha.

I'm already indebted to her enough as it is.

I didn't do you any favors, Sehar.

And please, don't worry about a thing.

I will do my absolute best to get through to Rohit.

Thank you.

Okay then.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Hello?

Is Rohit in the office?

Yes, sir,

Mr. Rohit is in his office chamber.

Alright.

Head to the office, Shakoor, and step on it.

I don’t want to miss him.

Hit the gas!

There you are. Finally.

Where are you off to?

To a meeting.

You're avoiding me, aren't you?

What is it you want?

It's nothing,

I just wanted to talk.

And I'm sure it's for your own benefit, so spit it out.

Kiran has left home, and you won't even talk to me.

I'm all alone.

I need you two by my side now more than ever,

and neither of you is with me.

Are you done with the guilt trip?

Are you going to get to the point, or should I leave?

Look...

you backed out of testifying in court.

I've got no problem with that.

In fact, I'm glad my own friend hasn't turned against me.

Stop beating around the bush.

Just say what you came to say.

You don't believe a word I'm saying, do you?

Believe you? I wouldn't trust you if you told me the sky was blue, Kamran.

Will you just finish what you wanted to say, or should I leave for my meeting?

I had your meeting cancelled.

You cancelled my meeting? Why?

Because we are going for lunch. Come on.

It's Manisha's call.

What happened in court today?

The usual. Nothing.

But why is she calling you?

Manisha hasn't spoken a proper word to me in days,

and now she calls out of the blue?

Something must have happened, Kamran.

Well, just call her back after we've eaten.

Let's go.

Yes, Manisha?

Rohit, where are you?

At the office. Is everything alright?

Yes, everything is fine.

When are you coming home?

I'll head back once I'm done here.

Can you come home earlier?

I guess so...

Are you at home now?

Yes, I am.

Alright, I'll be there in about half an hour.

But what's going on?

I'll tell you when you get here.

Okay. See you then.

What the hell is going on, Kamran?

What happened?

Have a seat. Let's talk.

Come on, sit. Come here.

Look, I know you didn't want to testify in court,

and I respected that.

Right?

But...

things have changed.

Why?

How have things changed?

Because whether you testify or not is no longer your call.

The court has ordered you to appear and give your testimony.

Manisha has already told me that.

Being an eyewitness,

I have to give my testimony in court no matter what.

I can't avoid it. I know.

Then tell me, if you already know what the law is...

what are you still doing here? Why don't you just go and testify?

And what am I supposed to testify to?

That Sehar is a liar, Rohit.

That she framed me with false accusations just for my money.

I'm in no mood to hear this nonsense all over again.

I'm going home.

I'm coming with you.

I want to hear what Manisha has to say.

Have you lost your mind?

Manisha doesn't even want to see your face,

and you want to come with me?

Today, a judge orders you to testify.

Then Manisha calls you and tells you to rush home.

This is all connected to me somehow.

So I'm going over there,

and I want to hear what she has to say to you.

Kamran, if you show up, I have no idea what will happen.

So please, listen to me.

Don't go see Manisha.

Greetings, sir.

Sir, Inspector Shafiq is here to see you.

Send him in.

Alright, sir.

Sir, please come in.

At ease.

How much money did you take from Kamran?

Sir, what are you saying?

Don't get smart with me.

Just tell me the truth. The whole truth.

I didn't take any money, sir.

You're the one who sent me to investigate, sir.

And you were the one who told me Kamran was an acquaintance of yours.

And it was I who asked you if Kamran committed the crime or not.

And it was you who told me

that Kamran is innocent and Sehar is a blackmailer.

Sir,

I still stand by my statement, sir.

If you still stand by your statement,

then why are the witnesses in court

backing out of their testimonies one after another?

Sir, who is backing out?

They are poor, simple people.

They've never seen the inside of a courtroom or a police station.

The poor souls just got rattled.

And Sehar's lawyer took full advantage of the situation, sir.

And why are you defending Kamran so fiercely?

How much has he paid you?

Sir...

What could he possibly give me, sir?

On the contrary, he keeps lording his friendship with you over me.

I only sided with him because he is your friend, sir.

Shafiq...

Shafiq, I have told you very clearly before

that I am not friends with Kamran.

We're merely acquaintances.

And I told you time and again

to conduct this investigation strictly by the book.

Sir, the investigation was done entirely by the book, sir.

You'll see, Kamran is going to win this case.

And you?

Think you can handle the judge's questions?

Don't you worry, sir.

I will stand by every single word.

Alright.

Then just remember,

I'm keeping a very close eye on things.

On this case...

and on you.

And I'll speak to Sehar myself.

Sir?

Why would you speak to that vile girl?

That's beneath you, sir.

I had to talk to her at some point.

But I figured I'd talk to you first.

Sir, she'll come running at the chance to speak with you.

That's her entire game...

luring respectable men like you into her trap.

Is that so?

In that case,

I'll summon Sehar right here, in front of you.

Sir, why would you call her in front of me?

Why are you getting so flustered?

No, sir, I'm not.

Hello?

This is SP Zohaib speaking.

The incident that happened to you was in my jurisdiction,

and the investigation is proceeding under my supervision.

I would like to meet with you regarding the matter.

Why, sir?

Are you planning to sabotage the case even further?

Ms. Sehar, not to sabotage it...

But to see that you get justice.

Oh, brilliant.

Now that your inspector's report is getting shredded in court,

you suddenly care about justice?

Sehar, if you just hear me out for one minute,

I can explain the situation.

Look, I've understood plenty already.

So please, don't try to explain anything else.

Thank you.

Well, Inspector Shafiq.

You claimed Sehar would come running,

eager to sink her claws into me.

But she wasn't even willing to hear my voice.

Sir, it's all part of the act.

That's how these kinds of girls operate.

No, Shafiq...

something's very fishy here.

Now I'm going to get to the bottom of this case myself.

Sir, why are you worrying about it?

I'll handle everything.

You're the one who should be worried, Inspector Shafiq.

Worried about your job...

and your life.

Hey.

Hi.

Did you happen to speak with Kamran at the office today?

Yeah, I ran into him.

Did he tell you what happened in court today?

He did.

So?

Look at the bind I'm in.

On one hand, there’s you, and on the other, there’s him.

You're wrong, Rohit.

This isn't a battle between Kamran and me.

This is a battle you're fighting with yourself.

What am I supposed to do?

Testify and send my best friend to prison?

Do you really think I could ever be at peace with myself after ruining his life?

And I suppose you'll feel at peace with yourself by lying

and destroying an innocent girl's life even further, Rohit?

Look, Manisha, please spare me the moral lecture.

I'm in a horrible position right now.

I'm caught between a rock and a hard place, with nowhere to go.

And I know whichever way I turn...

I'm going down.

Sir, Mr. Kamran is here.

Oh, God.

Did you call him here?

No, I didn't, Manisha.

Then how did he know you were at home with me?

You called when he was standing right next to me.

Manisha.

Manisha, I want to talk to you.

Please.

Kamran, what is wrong with you? You're unbelievable.

I told you not to come, and yet here you are.

Well, I had to.

A few weeks ago, we'd look for any excuse to spend time together,

to meet, and now you're both running from me.

Kiran left home.

You're avoiding me at the office so we don't have to talk...

and Manisha doesn't even want to see my face.

Have you even stopped to think why all this is happening?

Why have our lives become a living hell?

Why is everyone so terrified of facing the truth?

I have.

Many times.

That's why I came.

I messed up. I know I did.

Now I just want this whole thing to be over.

I want things to go back to the way they were.

This is Sehar's case.

The court will pass the verdict, not me.

But I won't let you win this case by having Rohit falsely testify in your favor.

I'll do anything.

I'll give Sehar whatever money she wants.

Whatever her demand is, just talk to her.

I'm willing to meet all of her demands.

In fact, more than that...

I'm even prepared to apologize to her.

Kamran, what makes you think

that Sehar would ever back down from this case for money?

And even if that were possible...

how could you imagine I would be the one to ask her?

Why?

Why won't you?

You're my best friend's wife.

We've all known each other for years.

And Sehar... a few weeks ago, you didn't even know she existed.

I want to get all of us out of this mess. That's it.

You only want to save yourself, Kamran.

If Sehar drops this case, it's not just her loss.

It's a loss for every rape victim.

As it is, in this country, ninety-seven per cent of rape victims never get justice.

And the few who dare to speak up

are forced by their own families to back down.

So you want to make an example out of me?

Find another case.

Just get me off the hook for this. That's all.

Alright, fine.

I’ll call her right now and tell her Kamran’s here to make an offer.

What’s the asking price for her to sell out her life and her principles?

I’ll call her now.

Aren’t you going to say anything? What is this drama?

As if I don’t have enough in my own life.

Manisha, please calm down.

Let’s talk this out first.

Then you can do whatever you want. Please.

Hello, Sehar.

How are you?

I’m fine.

I was just calling to ask if you spoke to Rohit.

Yes, I’m talking to him right now.

Manisha.

So, what did he say?

He hasn’t said anything yet…

but I’m confident he’ll make the right decision.