Court Martial (2020) - full transcript

Have you ever faced death?

Perhaps not.

I have faced death many times.

In war zones.

In court martial chambers.

Those moments of certain death
which are killing

may freeze the blood at times
while at others

they fill one with
an adrenaline rush.

I am Colonel Suraj Singh.

I have killed many people.

I have executed people.



Settle down.

Summon Jawan Ramchander.

Jai Hind, sir.
- Okay.

Sit down, Ramchander.

Major Ajay Puri.
- Sir.

Proceed with the court martial.
- Right, sir.

Sir, on 10th June Jawan Ramchander
was on night duty.

Two officers of the regiment,

Capt Mohan Verma and Capt Kapoor
were on their motorcycle

passing by the guard house.

Jawan Ramchander shot at them
without any prior warning.

Capt Mohan Verma died
on the spot and

Capt Kapoor was badly injured.

Although he survived.



He was admitted to
the army hospital at once

and he was operated on.

As per the doctor's report, if
the bullet had hit 2 inches lower

to the heart,

he would not have survived.

This sequences of events tells us

that Jawan Ramchander had
pre-mediated this.

He had already decided to
kill these two officers.

Therefore under
the Indian Army act 69

and the Indian Penal Code,
Section 302, today

Jawan Ramchander is being
court martialed. Sir.

This general court martial
is being conducted

on the defendant for
an intentional attack

being of sound mind and body
to kill Capt Verma

and attempt to kill Capt Kapoor.

Ramchander.

Do you plead guilty?

Sir.

Sit down.

Major Puri.
- Sir.

The first witness.

Yes? Capt Bikash Roy.

Before Major Puri presents
his witnesses,

I wish to say something.

Capt Roy has begun objecting
even before the court has begun!

Please go ahead.

Major Puri mentioned
Jawan Ramchander twice.

So?
What should he call him?

Major Puri should address him
not as Jawan Ramchander

but as Sawar Ramchander.

What the heck do you mean?

Ramchander is a Jawan in the army.

Why does it matter if he is
addressed as Jawan or Sawar?

Sir, it matters

and it doesn't.

You are a Colonel in the infantry.

Would it be right to call you
a Colonel of the medical corps?

Ramchander is from
the Bakhtarband regiment.

The sepoys from that regiment

are called Sawar, not Jawan.

I think

the defence counsel is nit picking

to stall the court's decision.

Sir, since the Indian army's Legal
department has deployed you,

there is no way there can be
any technical faults.

But sir,

a decision of life and death
is not made over technicalities.

It is based on the truth.

Capt Roy.

Please mention only the facts
pertinent to this case.

Pertaining to Jawan,
I mean Sawar Ramchandra.

No one may waste the court's time
with needless talk and objections.

The court martial's presiding
officer

is Colonel Suraj Singh
and you must remember that.

I know that.

But the judge advocate
did say I was right.

I regret that

you think my objections are
a waste of the court's time.

Sir, if you think my objections
are unnecessary

then please appoint another
defence counsel.

I will leave from here.
- Don't threaten me!

Everybody knows
that Ramchander committed murder.

He has admitted to his guilt
and it was in the newspapers.

Ramchander is on trial, right?

How does it matter how
he is addressed?

Okay, let's carry on.

It is clear you've already assigned
guilt to Ramchander before trial.

Then why have this sham of
a court martial?

Besides sir, it's not necessary
that

all that is printed in
the newspapers is authentic.

Sir, you know it

the printed words
often tend to lie.

Sit down.

Major Puri.
- Sir.

Present your witnesses.
- Sir.

Thank you, sir.

My first witness for
this court martial is

the regiment's Subedar
Balwan Singh.

How are you, Subedar?

I am fine.

Should we begin?
- Yes.

So tell me.

Where were you at 9 pm
on the 10th of June?

I was near
the regiment's guardhouse.

Which means you were on duty.

No, I wasn't on duty.

It was very hot that night
and there was a power cut.

I was strolling nearby
with Havaldar Raj Singh.

Will you tell the court

who was on duty that day?

Sir, Ramchander.
- What did you see?

There was no power so
I could not see anything clearly.

But a motorcycle came up.
- Hold on.

When you say you could not see
weren't you wearing your glasses?

I don't wear glasses,
I have perfect vision.

I told you I could not see
due to the power cut... - Oh.

I get it.

But let me tell you
for your information

that 10th June
was a full moon night.

The full moon night has
enough light

to ensure that you can see up to

500 metres away quite clearly.

Even a tiny ball tossed
in the ground

was merely 100 metres away
from the site of the crime.

As you just mentioned
your vision is perfect.

Can you tell me

the motorcycle which went by
the site of the crime

had how many riders?
- Two.

Were they wearing helmets?
- No.

So the two officers you identified
on a moving motorcycle

were Jawan...

No.

Sawar Ramchander
must have recognised them.

Of course.

What happened next?

When the motorcycle reached
the guard house,

Sawar Ramchander shot at it.

Point to be noted, sir.
He shot at it.

The first bullet shot Capt Verma.

The motorcycle got off
the road and hit a nearby tree.

When the motorcycle
began to roll down

Ramchander shot again.

The bullet hit Capt Kapoor in
the lower part of the shoulder.

The motorcycle toppled over.

Sawar Ramchander ran in that
direction as soon as it fell.

He then cocked his gun again.

Raj Singh and I arrived there
and grabbed him from the back.

When you grabbed Ramchander
from the back

who was he aiming his rifle at?

At the injured Capt Kapoor.

At the injured Capt Kapoor.

Which implies if you
hadn't caught him

he would have shot him
again and killed him.

Yes, certainly.

What happened next?

The sound of the shot brought
many soldiers out of the barracks.

About 4 or 5 of them were
holding on tight to Ramchander.

We took his weapon away
so he could not shoot again.

But he kept screaming one thing.

Let me go! I want to kill
Capt Kapoor!

I will murder Capt Kapoor.

I don't know how he was
so insanely strong that night.

Sir, it's all crystal clear.

Crystal clear.

No more questions.
Thank you so much.

Capt Roy, do you want to
cross examine the witness?

Major, since when do you know
Ramchander?

Since the last 3 years.

During that time
has he ever gotten into a fight?

Did he brawl with anyone?

Did anyone complain to you
about him?

No. Nobody complained about
him at all.

In fact I would say
he is a very docile man.

If he was given a task

by you or any other officer,

did he do it well?

Ramchander did his duties
diligently and properly.

Did the late Capt Mohan Verma

and Capt B D Kapoor

ever complain about him?

Did they take any action or
punish him?

No, not at all.

Subedar, he never got into a fight.

He never had
any issues with anyone.

Nobody complained about him
to you.

Then the question is

why did he kill Capt Mohan Verma

and why did he attack
Capt B D Kapoor to kill?

How can I tell you that?

I told you what I saw clearly.

Subedar.

You told us whatever you saw.

But the truth

is not what we seen.

We only see a part of the truth.

It's not essential
that it is the complete truth.

What you see is true.

Is it?

Tell me, is the spot you are at
rotating right now?

No.
- Is the courtroom moving?

Not at all.
- Check again.

Yes, I did that.

You mentioned an eye witness
account. - Yes.

But Subedar, even you know this.

The earth moves constantly.

It rotates around its axis

and it revolves around the sun.

Now since you can't see that
it doesn't negate that truth.

Capt Bikash Roy.

What does rotation have to do
with this court martial?

You are confusing the issue.
Please get to the point.

Major Puri is right, Capt Roy.

Is your statement relevant to
this trial?

I have already warned you.

Don't waste the court's time
on useless things.

Sir, you're right.

Time is truly precious.

Even more so than someone's life.

The court's time
must not be wasted.

It doesn't matter if
someone is sentenced to death.

I just wish to say

the truth isn't so simple or
so trivial

that we can see it
and understand it all.

Capt Roy, you may question
the witness more if you want.

Sir.

Subedar,
when this incident took place,

what was the secret code word of
the platoon?

What?
- Yes.

I don't quite understand.
- I mean

the night of the incident,

what was the security password of
the platoon?

A piece of advice
for you, Capt Roy.

Please don't speak
such pristine Hindi.

It needed to be
translated into English!

Hindi is our mother tongue.

If we don't speak regularly in
that language

we will not add to
our knowledge of it.

Adding to knowledge!

Major Puri.
- Sir.

So Subedar, tell me.

What was the security password of
the platoon that night?

I don't remember that right now.

But if you wish I can ask
my regiment clerk and inform you.

No Subedar, don't trouble yourself.

I know.

The password is changed
every night.

Trying to remember a password
that was set months ago

is not easy, right?

Let me tell you what
the password was that night.

The password on
that full moon night

was 'black moon.'

Subedar.

You identified both the officers
on the motorcycle that night.

Yes.
- Did Ramchander recognise them?

Yes, of course.
I have mentioned it.

Did you inform your men

not to ask an officer for
a password if they recognise him?

Who am I to give orders?

The one who doesn't give
the password will be stopped.

I have been in service
for 20 years.

It's flawless.

Do you think the army needs to
give me more time

to learn these simple things?

No Subedar, don't mind what I say.

I know
you won't give such an order.

Tell me, when both officers reached
the guard house on a motorcycle

did Ramchander challenge them?

'Who is it?'
Did he call out to them?

Ramchander didn't call out
and ask who it was.

I was there and I saw it.

Subedar.

I am not speaking of seeing,
I am talking about hearing.

Did you hear that?

Ramchander called out,
'Stop! Who goes there?'

Ramchander didn't call out
and I didn't hear it!

How can I say that he called out?

Are you implying that
that since you didn't hear it,

it wasn't said by Ramchander.

Were you in Delhi on 15th August?

No, why?

On 15th August, the PM said
in his address from the Red Fort.

He would teach India's enemies
a good lesson.

You weren't there!

You didn't hear that.

If you didn't hear that

it means the PM didn't say that
as part of his speech.

But I could see everything here,
clearly.

Subedar, you hear the sound,
you don't see it.

The fact is that on that night,

you were 500 metres from
the site of the accident.

The motorcycle was running.

The sounds of the Bullet motorcycle
engine

drowned out Ramchander's call
asking 'who goes there?'

For your information
I was only 100 metres away.

Major Puri told you

and you believed him.

Did you measure it with a tape?

Did you?

I measured the distance
with a tape.

You were 510 metres away
from the crime scene.

You could never hear Ramchander
call out from that distance.

Capt Roy.

Very good.

You are confusing the Subedar
for no reason.

He has admitted that

he recognised both officers
sitting on the bike

and Sawar Ramchander
identified them too.

Then, why call out and ask
'stop, who goes there' constantly?

There was a reason, Major Puri.

Tell me something.

Who are you to stop me
from asking questions?

Only the presiding officers
have that right.

Young man,

I am not stopping you
from asking questions.

But stop asking the same question
constantly in a roundabout way.

Continue, Capt Roy.

Subedar,

tell me something.

When a guard stops someone
and asks for the password

and calls the person out and if
the person doesn't stop then what?

Objection.

Why ask about something that
hasn't been proved in court yet?

When was it proved that

Sawar Ramchander attacked and
called out the two officers?

Or that he asked them for
the password?

How can the witness tell you that?

Major Puri.

Only you can understand my angst.
- Yes.

Please note that even Major Puri
agrees that

how can the witness talk about
what he hasn't seen. - Right!

He can't tell, sir.
- Certainly not.

That's why I request this court

to go to the scene of
the crime tonight.

We will go and stand where
the Subedar was strolling.

Let's have a motorcycle
driven over there.

Send a guard to the sentry post.

He will challenge from there.

Then we will know if we can
hear the voice from that spot.

Very good!

Well done! What does that prove?

What does it prove?

Will it prove

that the killer, Ramchander

didn't shoot the late Capt Verma?

That he didn't wound Capt Kapoor.

If that can be proved
let's go there.

Major Puri, who am I to prove

that Ramchander didn't shoot?

He confessed to that himself.

I just want to remind this court of
the laws of the army.

Sir, the laws state that

if a guard stops someone

and asks him the password

and even after being
challenged when one doesn't stop

then the guard can shoot.

Capt Roy.

You don't need to explain
the army laws to the court.

Sir.

Sir.

If Ramchander accepted that
he did shoot the bullet

then this issue about
the challenge is no big deal.

Right, sir.

We won't conceal any procedures
in this court.

Your written advice

should be mentioned to all.

I must say this for
your information.

If it is proved that

the officers didn't stop
after Ramchander's challenge

then as per army law he has

a right to shoot.

Sir.

Everybody knows of that law.

But it is stringently applied
in wartime.

Don't talk rubbish.

Peace or war, the laws remain
the same.

The law is law, war or no war.

This court

is here to figure out the truth

it won't suppress the truth.

The court will move to
the site of the crime

which will tell us if Ramchander
issued the challenge or not.

Do you want to speak, Ramchander?
- No!

Please.

Capt Bikash Roy, right now you
are questioning the Subedar.

Ask him what you want to know.

Sir, I didn't issue the challenge
to stop.

I shot without issuing
the challenge, sir!

See?
- Sir.

The court should make note of
this confession.

Ramchander opened fire
without any challenge, sir.

Capt Kapoor.
- But this is an important point.

Are you the prosecutor?
- No, sir. But...

Sit down.

Sorry, sir.

You're in a hurry to get
Ramchander the death penalty.

You will have to
give your testimony.

You're next in line.
Wait for it.

Subedar, no more questions for you.

I was actually arguing for
no good reason.

See? Ramchander confessed himself

that he shot without
issuing the challenge.

Your hearing and sight
both are perfect.

You may go.

Do think of one thing before
you sleep tonight.

Ramchander never had any
complaints against him.

He never stinted in doing his duty.

Why did he suddenly shoot
2 officers of his platoon?

Why?

Subedar.

The truth is not what we see
for ourselves.

The truth is never overtly
evident.

It is like a cat huddled in
a dark corner.

A five minute recess.

Listen.
- Sir.

You have a break too.
- Right, sir.

Capt Roy.
- Sir.

One moment.

Capt Roy, what do you wish to do?

Why did you signal to Ramchander
to confess

that he shot without
issuing the challenge?

You have ensured he will hang!
Why?

I don't want to defend him
on a tactical detail.

Everybody knows

he did shoot and he killed.

The question is why did he shoot?

I am not here to save him.

Nobody can save him.

You can try.

What I am trying to save is
more important than his life.

What?

Sir, the truth.

Okay. As a lawyer or...

I am a keeper, sir.

What?

The hunter of the soul, sir.

You can go, sir.

The hunter of the soul.

What does he mean?

Sit down.

Major Puri!
- Sir.

My second witness is
Capt B D Kapoor.

Sir.

Capt Kapoor.

Tell me, did you ever

take any action against
Sawar Ramchander? - No, sir.

Did he ever complain about
the two of you to a senior officer?

No, sir.

The most important thing.

On the night of the incident,

Sawar Ramchander challenged you.

No, sir.

He opened fire
without any challenge.

Sir. No further questions.

Capt Roy, your witness.

I don't wish to question
Capt B D Kapoor at present.

Allow me to recall him
at the right time.

Alright.

Capt Kapoor.
- Sir.

Sit down.
- Sir.

Major Puri.
- Sir.

Carry on.
- Sir.

My third and most important
witness is

the doctor of the regiment
Capt Gupta.

Sir.

Doctor.
- Sir.

How are you doing?
- Good, sir.

Very good.

Let me begin.
- Yes.

Where were you on 10th June
at 9 pm?

Sir, I was returning to
the mess on my scooter.

I was going to go to the platoon
when I heard gunshots.

I turned my scooter that way
at once, sir.

Okay. What happened next?

When I got there...
- Yes.

I saw Capt Verma was lying on
the floor.

I checked his pulse.
- Okay.

He was dead.

He was shot in the neck.

Capt Kapoor was lying unconscious.

His right shoulder was
bleeding and his pulse was weak.

I took off my shirt, tore it to
make bandages

and tied it on to his shoulder
to staunch the blood flow.

Okay.

Tell me, at that time

were was Sawar Ramchander?

He was being held by
5 to 6 soldiers.

He was trying to get away
from them.

He kept shouting, let me go.

I will kill Capt Kapoor.

Point to be noted, sir.

What happened, next?

The Subedar called the military
hospital from the guardhouse.

The ambulance
arrived in five minutes.

We lifted Capt Kapoor and made him
lie down in the ambulance, sir.

When we made him lie down

his bandage came off and
he was bleeding again. - Oh!

I retied the bandage and
stopped the bleeding again.

Then we took them to
the operation theatre.

Sir, the surgeon Colonel Joshi
was already there.

He told me if I hadn't stopped
the bleeding in time,

Capt Kapoor would have died.
- Okay.

So Capt Kapoor was operated
on at once.

No sir. He was giving blood first.

My blood.
- What?

I mean, my blood group
matches his blood group.

Then we began surgery.

If the bullet had hit an inch
lower

he would have been hit in
the heart.

He's lucky Ramchander missed.

By the way, sir.

Colonel Joshi is recommending me
to the Army headquarters

for a citation.

Rising to the occasion and saving
the life of a brother officer.

Good job, officer.
- Thank you, sir.

Sir, I don't have any more
questions. Thank you so much.

Capt Roy.

Capt Kapoor, I am very happy.

I am lucky to meet you.

What a dedicated man you are!
That was a great story.

Where did you get medical
training?

Armed Forces Medical College,
Pune.

And I am a gold medallist.

Amazing! Your list of talents
doesn't seem to end!

Dr Gupta, you mentioned
that that night you heard

Ramchander shouting to be let go

and he would kill Capt Kapoor.

Yes, I heard it myself.

Tell me, why do you think
he was shouting that way?

Did he go insane that night?

Capt Roy, a crazy man and a man
crazed by anger are distinct.

He was raring to kill.

You don't try to trap me.

You are very clever. So clever!

You should be the lawyer
instead of me.

But I have to be the advocate
for today, sir.

So tell me, about 5 months ago

Ramchander was admitted to
the army hospital. Why?

He had typhoid.
I admitted him.

Typhoid?

How did you know that?

Did he come to you
with health issues?

No.

Our regiment and the air force
regiment had a hockey match.

10 minutes after the match began
he fainted on the ground.

How high was the fever?

About 104 degrees.

I summoned an ambulance and
reported it as typhoid.

Later when he was checked
at the hospital

they found out my diagnosis
was right.

How could it be wrong?

You are a gold medallist from
AFMC Pune, after all.

I don't understand one thing.

The match started at 4pm
in the evening.

Ramchander fainted
within 10 minutes.

Can the fever rise to 104 degrees
within 10 minutes? - No.

Typhoid doesn't have a sudden fever
increase like malaria.

He must have had a fever
before the match.

So...

Didn't you know before the match
he had a fever?

Capt Roy, how could I know?

We don't check the players
for a fever before the match.

What's so funny?

Dr Gupta, I am very sorry.

It was a lousy thing to say.
- Yes, yes, yes.

Actually, I don't have medical
know how. - That's fine.

So you say that without
a thermometer

you can't find out how
much fever someone has.

See, you can figure it out
by checking the pulse.

To know the exact temperature
you need a thermometer.

You need to use a thermometer.
- Yes.

Thank you for the information,
Dr Gupta.

Thanks for adding to my knowledge.
- Yes.

Where are you going?
Please, sir.

Come this way.
- I thought I'd finished.

Finished? We've not even started
yet. Come back.

Okay.

Come on.

Should we begin?
- Yes.

So tell me. On the day of
the match

At what time did Ramchander
come to you for the sick report?

The sick report is normally
given at 9 pm.

I didn't ask for that time.

I asked you when did Havaldar
Raj Singh and 2 other soldiers

bring Ramchander to you
for the sick report?

Havaldar Raj Singh was
also wearing a watch.

Tell me, at what time was
Ramchander brought in?

I don't quite remember
the exact time.

Okay. Let's call
Havaldar Raj Singh.

He may remember.

Tell me did they bring him
before or after the match?

Answer him.

Doctor.

It's okay, Dr Gupta.

I can understand.

He came to you for a sick report.
Why would you check the time?

You are a doctor,
you would check the patient.

Tell me about that, then.

When Ramchander was brought to you

who was sitting next to you?

You must remember that.

Capt Kapoor was sitting with me.

Oh, he was with you.

Is he your friend?

That's your personal business.

Tell me, when Capt Kapoor
was sitting with you

and the sick Ramchander
was in front of you

what was your diagnosis?

Did you use the thermometer?

Did you?

Dr Gupta.

You can't avoid answering.

You may be slapped with a lawsuit
under the Army Act 45.

Unbecoming conduct of an officer.

I hope you know this, Captain.

Sir, these crabs always make
excuses about being sick.

That's why I didn't use
the thermometer.

What are you implying by 'crab'?

Sir, that is what we call soldiers
who are...

Doctor, why are you calling me Sir?

We both are captains.

I guess you know

that the word you've used is
an abuse.

The British called Indian soldiers
that when we were slaves.

Crab is an abuse.

Who am I to stop you?
You are God!

Dr Gupta, you really are God!

Without checking the pulse
or the temperature

you found out that Ramchander
the crab was lying.

He is pretending to be sick.

Right, God?
- Yes.

No!

I didn't check his pulse.

I didn't use the thermometer.

Capt Kapoor told me that

he is fine and pretending to
be sick.

Capt Kapoor told you that?

Explain, who is the doctor
Capt Kapoor or...

I remember.

Havaldar Raj Singh told me

that Capt Kapoor talked to you
in English

and stopped you from using
the thermometer. He cussed too.

What did Capt Kapoor say?

Sir...
- What did he say? Tell me.

Sir, he said that

'this *** is shamming.'

'There is nothing wrong with him.'

Which means, this rascal
Ramchander is lying.

Nothing has happened, he is
pretending to be sick. Right?

Capt Kapoor said so
and you believed him.

Until Ramchander fainted away
at the match

you didn't even put a thermometer
into his mouth.

Obviously these facts
were suppressed.

Dr Gupta

you are a man of many talents.

Mr Gold Medallist from AFMC, Pune.

Now you are finished.

Dr Gupta, sit in your seat.

Okay.

Sir, there are no more questions.

Captain Gupta.

Gold medallist!

Start looking for a new job.

Forget about your citation.

Get back to your seat.
- Sir.

Sir, will you have tea here
or in the adjoining room?

In the adjoining room.

We take a 10 minute recess.

Vikas.

Yes, Capt Kapoor.

What are you doing this evening?

Come on home.

Why? What is the matter?

My name isn't Bikash, it's Bikash.

Oh! Bikash Roy, sorry.

Why should I visit your house?

It's nothing, let's sit and
have drinks together.

I don't drink.

So what?
We will do something else.

What do you mean?

I mean...
- Get a woman?

If you say so?

Yes, your wife doesn't live
with you, these days.

She left you, right?

When did she leave you?

Listen to yourself!

Both of us are officers.

Be nice!

I believe every criminal
is my enemy.

Criminal?

I got shot, but I am the criminal?

What do you think?

Can you harm me?

Ramchander is the killer not me.

What kind of officer are you?
Look at yourself.

You don't have the etiquettes
of speaking to another officer.

Capt Kapoor, forget that dastardly
sense of officers' fraternity.

You also know who the killer is.

Why do you seem so scared?
- Me?

You ask yourself some questions,
not others.

Don't threaten me, Captain.

Don't you dare threaten me.

I have encountered many men
like you.

Really?
- Too many!

Do you know Bangla?
- I am not Bengali.

Okay, let me tell you in Hindi.

There is a proverb in Bengali.

When the tiger strikes

it causes at least 7 wounds.

Can't you salute an officer
when he goes past you?

Good morning, sir.
- Good morning.

Tell me...

Did Sawar Ramchander complain
to you about these 2 officers?

No.
- Did these two officers

ever complain against Ramchander?

Never.

Sir, tell us about the service
record of these 2 officers so far.

It's very good. Excellent.

In fact, they have been brilliant.

I have nothing else to ask, sir.

Colonel Rawat, you said that

Ramchander didn't have an enmity
with these 2 officers. - Yes.

Then, why did Ramchander shoot
them both?

Did Ramchander go insane that
night? - Captain Roy.

You can't ask him that question
at this point.

If Ramchander wants to plead
insanity...

When did I speak of it, Major Puri?

When did I speak about
temporary madness?

Sir, you may seek an insanity plea
but I won't.

I will seek it?

I will seek an insanity plea?

Have you lost your mind?

Mind your language.

You know Ramchander got a medical
test before the court martial.

Don't interrupt Capt Roy.

Continue, Captain.

Go on.

So, Col Rawat, tell me.

Why did Ramchander
shoot these 2 officers?

I don't know.

Why didn't he shoot any
other officers and kill him?

I don't know.

You don't know anything, sir.

You live in a very innocent world.

What are you saying, Captain?

Are you trying to blame me?

No sir, how can I blame you?

You don't know anything at all!

I saw one of Ramchander's
confidential reports.

You have personally written
an A plus score for him here.

Why, sir?
- Yes.

Ramchander is one of the most
active soldiers of our regiment.

An excellent soldier.

Sir, I will repeat the question.

Did Capt Kapoor ever complain
against Ramchander?

No.

I haven't received any complaints
against Ramchander from anyone.

When you reached the parade ground
on 7th March what was going on?

There was a parade in progress,
what else?

Sir.

I guess, I asked
the wrong question.

Did you forget? Capt Kapoor

punished Ramchander and made him
salute him 100 times.

Right.

Actually, I was going to
the golf ground that day.

I saw all the soldiers standing at
attention in the parade ground.

Ramchander was saluting
Capt Kapoor over and over.

The Subedar said that

Capt Kapoor has punished him by
saluting 100 times. Simple.

Sir, when you saw that
did you make any enquiries?

What enquiries?

I trust my officers.

If Capt Kapoor noticed that
Ramchander didn't salute properly

he has every right to punish him.

You are right, sir.

But sir, you gave
Capt Kapoor the order

that he must respond to every
salute by Ramchander 100 times.

I don't know if you know this rule.

But when an officer is in uniform

he must respond to a salute.

Don't you know that?

The fact is legal department
officers like us

don't know much about
such glorious army practices.

Sir, I have

read this report and it says here

that you increased his rations.

He was given 2 litres of milk
and extra almonds.

Why, sir?

Actually, it was our regiment's
racing day.

He came first in
the 5,000 metre race.

That was only 20 seconds
more than the Army record.

I was stunned to see his timings.

I believed that if he was given
extra milk and almonds

he would break
the Army record, too.

I salute officers like you, sir.

Such a discerning gaze is rare.

Sir, did Ramchander fulfil
your expectations?

Of course.

At the North Command games

Ramchander won the 5,000 metre
race once again.

But this time he was only 5 seconds
above the Army record.

Could he break the Army record?

What about that?

He could have even broken
the Asian record.

But this incident occurred before
the Inter Command games.

Otherwise he could have won
an Asian medal for us.

Yes, sir.

Ramchander could have won
the Asian medal for us.

Before Ramchander

who was the champion of the 5,000
metre race in the regiment?

Capt Kapoor was the champion
before Ramchander.

Oh.

So why did Capt Kapoor lose
this race?

How the heck do I know?

Sometimes you ask
very stupid questions, Captain.

Sir, you have no reason to
get angry.

The answer is very simple.

Capt Kapoor lost the race because

Ramchander ran faster than him.

That is so informative! Great.

Wonderful.

Tell me something, Capt Roy.

What does the winner of the race
have to do with this court martial?

There is a connection, Major Puri.

You know this

and everyone in this court
also knows it.

But nobody wants to admit it.

Tell me something, sir.

Why do you object to
every question I ask?

Why does that bother you so much?

Are you sure it's not because

you are beginning to feel
the truth?

Perhaps.

Captain Roy.

You speak a lot about
the soul and the paranormal.

Which Gods do you pray to?

Tell me.

Kali, sir.

The one who drinks the blood of
sinners. Mahakali.

The one with a thousand arms,
Mahakali.

Col Rawat.

Tell me, where is
Capt Kapoor's wife these days?

She is Capt Kapoor's wife,
not mine.

Ask him!

One moment. Excuse me.

Sir, I can't figure out
what is going on here.

What is the meaning of
asking personal questions?

It would defame his wife.

How will that happen?

Do we have reporters here?

Our whole proceeding is in camera.

Besides, in the Army
personal lives are limited.

If you have foreign guests at home

then you have to inform the CO
about it. Right, sir?

If you drink too much
you have to report to the CO.

All over the world, there is no
such thing as total personal life.

Continue, Captain.

Sir, Capt Kapoor's wife is not
with him these days.

Can you tell me why?

Captain.

Capt Roy, why are you asking
the Colonel that?

There is a reason for it, sir.

The CO of any platoon is
a father figure to the soldiers.

The entire platoon is his family.

The problems of individual members
are never personal, sir.

Mrs Kapoor came to meet you
in your office.

1 month before this incident.

Can you tell us what issues
she had with Capt Kapoor?

But how do you know this?

Mrs Kapoor is in Delhi with
her parents these days.

I went to meet her.

She gave me a copy of
the letter she wrote to you.

What did the letter say, sir?

Capt Roy!

You have no right to defame
a man's wife.

Who is on court martial here?

Is it Capt Kapoor's wife or
this killer Ramchandra?

Tell me.
- He is right, Capt Roy.

If your questions are
relevant to this trial

then you can continue to
ask questions.

Please.
- Okay, sir.

I will not ask Col Rawat anything.

I will tell you what issues
Mrs Kapoor had.

That night, Capt Kapoor

went back home from
the mess, totally sloshed.

He was dead drunk.

He went to his wife

and she got out of bed
when she saw him and said.

'Don't come near me.'

'Don't come close to me,
you are stinking of alcohol.'

'Do not touch me.'

But Capt Kapoor was flying high.

He tore his wife's nightgown
and said.

'I have the license to
sleep with you.'

'Don't you know how
we are related?'

'I am your husband.'

Mrs Kapoor threatened him
and said.

'If you touch me'

'I will complain to the CO,
just you wait and see.'

But Capt Kapoor wasn't going
to listen to her.

He slapped her hard and said.

'Will you go to the CO?'

'Is he your lover?'

'Is he your dad?'

'Will you complain to
the CO?'

After that he hurled an ashtray
on the table at her head.

Mrs Kapoor was hit right
under her ear.

Capt Kapoor never realised
since he was so drunk

when she passed out
and how badly she was hurt.

Capt Roy.

You've crossed all limits.

Were you in the room that night?

How do you know all this?

I wasn't there, that night.

Someone else was there.

Who was it?

The eye witness to this incident.

Sawar Ramchander.

In those days he was
Capt Kapoor's ADC.

Mrs Kapoor was taken to
the hospital by Ramchander.

Sir, I can lie,
Ramchander can lie.

But this letter...

One moment.

This letter can't lie, sir.

This is the copy of the letter
that she wrote to you, sir.

It clearly states

that 'my husband is a beast.'

'He is an animal, he is a sadist!'

Mrs Kapoor filed for divorce.

The divorce papers are
in this file.

But I was told his wife
slipped and fell.

That's why she hurt her head.

Are you shocked, sir?

The wives always slip and fall.

The husbands never do anything.

The daughters-in-law are flawed
not the daughters.

Sir, you know that day
Mrs Kapoor insisted

that the civil police handle
this case at the army hospital.

But the officers of the regiment
clung to their fraternity.

They convinced the CO
and suppressed the case.

Sir, just imagine.

If the civil police had gotten
wind of this case

the Indian Army would have
been disgraced.

I would say she is a warrior.

She is one of those

who never cow down to
atrocities and torture.

A person may shatter or shake
her will or self confidence.

Sir, they won't atone.

They won't bow down.

Those who don't bend
will often be broken.

Sir, whatever I mentioned
is in this file.

Sir, this file contains
the testimony

which Mrs Kapoor hand wrote
and gave in the court.

She mentions that her life is
in danger.

She is in danger from her husband

Capt B D Kapoor.
- Capt Roy!

You are a Naxalite.

Capt Kapoor!
- Your brother was one too!

He was killed in
a police encounter.

You are also predisposed
to that kind of rebellion.

Sir, this man is trying to
defame the entire army.

You belong to a family of Naxals.

Let me speak, sir.

He has created a racket...
- Sir!

Don't touch me!

Relax.

Capt Kapoor.

Go back to your seat.

Go back!

This court will not allow
any of this.

Remember that.

I will not tolerate this.

This court will resume tomorrow
at 10 am.

Capt Kapoor was right, sir.

My brother was a Naxalite who
was killed in a police encounter.

He used to have high ideals
and dream of a utopian world.

Those who have high ideals
and utopian dreams

often get killed by others.

Capt Kapoor.

The people of our clan
are used to fighting for justice.

I guess you don't know

that if my brother was a Naxalite

my father is a judge in
the Kolkata High Court.

By the way

yesterday you didn't reveal
a national level secret.

Before we join the army the police
conducts a full investigation.

They enquire about your character
and your family.

The police knows all about me
and so does the Indian government.

But despite that they gave me
the chance to be in uniform

and sent me to oppose a fine
officer like you in this lawsuit.

I guess that is hassling you.

Right?

Sir, I request

that Capt Kapoor's statement
should be struck off the record.

He spoke in an excess of emotion
and anger.

He is dazed.

After all, he is a human being.

Major Puri.

Is he a human being?

Are you implying that

Capt Kapoor can say
what he pleases in anger

and do anything he wants?

If a man loses his mind

it will not obstruct the fight
for justice.

Capt Roy.

You are fighting for justice
in the wrong corner, this time.

You're defending a murderer.

Major Puri.

The court will give a verdict
about that.

Neither of us will decide that.

The court needs to consider

why did a simple, disciplined
soldier

shoot 2 officers of
his own platoon?

Could it be that he was scared

Capt Mohan Verma and
Capt Kapoor would try to kill him?

His wife did mention it in court.

Her life was in danger.

From her husband.

Just imagine, sir.

I wonder how he treated

Ramchander to coerce him
to take up his gun.

When there is danger to life

even a cow will attack.

He is human.

Capt Roy, you are very smart.

Yes. You are very smart.

What do you wish to prove?

Tell me.

Are you trying to prove from
that ash stray incident that

Sawar Ramchander was so
scared that day

he was so terror stricken
that he fired the shots?

My dear friend, let me inform you

on 10th June at 9 pm

the two officers were on
a motorbike and they were unarmed.

Sawar Ramchandra

shot them without calling out
a challenge.

They didn't have any weapons!

Don't you try to

prove that this was an act of
self defence.

This court will listen to
witnesses and evidence.

It won't respond to
made up stories.

Sir, I get the feeling that

Capt Roy is here to make
a speech at a psychology seminar.

You are right, Major Puri.

We are here to argue over
a trivial truth

and here I am talking about
these grand ideals.

You are right, sir.

Sir, I request the court

to call Subedar Balwan Singh
again.

Subedar.

Don't imagine that I called you
here to hassle you.

The Subedar is a link

from the soldiers to the CO.

The grudges and complaints
of the soldiers

are conveyed via him to the CO

and the CO connects to them
via the Subedar.

That's why the post of Subedar
is significant and respected.

Am I right?
- Yes.

Subedar, please tell me.

The CO increased Ramchander's
rations.

He put him on special rations.

Was Ramchander Capt Kapoor's ADC
at that time?

No.

On Regiment Day when Ramchander
won the race

after that the CO increased
his rations.

After that I assigned Ramchander
as Capt Kapoor's ADC.

Col Rawat increased
Ramchander's rations

so he could prepare for
the Northern Command games.

And you assigned him to duties
as Capt Kapoor's ADC! Why?

Capt Kapoor requested me to
do the same.

Didn't you tell him he was in
training for the races?

Capt Kapoor told me he'd practice
with him morning and evening.

We all know

that Capt Kapoor was the champion
of the 5,000 metre race.

It seemed okay by me...
- Of course it did.

They both were runners.

Ramchander must have trained
with gusto, then.

He must have been running
like anything.

Did he come for training daily?
- Yes.

How many times a month
did he come?

Two or three times.

What did you say?

Subedar.

Speak louder.

Everybody must hear you.

He used to train two or three
times a month, sir.

The CO increased his rations
so he could train.

While he stopped
coming for training!

That was wrong, Subedar.

Yes.

What did you do?
Did you make enquiries?

I asked him.

He said when it's time for
practice

Capt Kapoor put him to work
at the house.

Oh!

Subedar, tell me.

What does the ADC do?

Why does an officer have an ADC?

The rules state that he cleans
his officer's uniform.

He keeps the uniform
spick and span.

He cleans the officer's weapons.

But you know...
- I know it, Subedar.

The rules and laws are meant
for the weak.

An ADC for an officer

is like a servant.

A personal servant.

Go to the market, fetch groceries.

Put this, serve the food.

Iron the lady wife's clothes.

Keep the officer pleased.
Right?

This is not your fault.

You can only take action on
a subordinate, right?

You can't complain about
someone higher in the order.

But before the Northern command
games took place

I took him off that duty.

Believe me, he won the race
after just 10 days of practice.

Very good!

Did you take Ramchander away
from that duty or were you told to?

Tell me.

Answer him.

Subedar. Answer him.

Did the CO issue the order
to relieve Ramchander of his duty?

Answer him.

No, sir.

Then what?

Ramchander complained to me.

What did he say to you?

Tell us, Subedar.

Why are you so ashamed?
What did Ramchander complain about?

Sir, you know Ramchander
belongs to a lower caste.

Capt Kapoor used to

call him Harijan.

Ramchander asked to be
relieved of that duty.

Or he would go and complain
to the CO directly.

Subedar.

Ramchander made
a false complaint to you

and you believed him!

Tell me something.

How can anyone object to
the word Harijan?

The word was coined by the father
of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

If Capt Kapoor called Ramchander
Harijan

what is wrong with that?

Subedar, you must never listen
to wrong complaints

against officers by
the foot soldiers.

That's not the point, sir.
- Then what is it?

Capt Kapoor used to call Ramchander
a rat and cobbler.

His friend Capt Verma used to
call him a darn rat.

What did Ramchander do then?

Ramchander refused to work
for Capt Kapoor.

How dare a soldier

and have the courage

to refuse to work for his officer?

Subedar, you and Col Rawat told me

that Ramchander is
a stickler for duty.

What did you do?

You have made a wrong move.

No, sir.

Sir, it went too far one day.

How come?

Capt Kapoor had some guests over.

A child pooped in
the drawing room.

Capt Kapoor told Ramchander
to clean out the poop.

Ramchander refused to do so.

Subedar.

What are you saying poop for?

Use the country or rural dialect
word for it.

***.

Say that louder.

***. Subedar,
I can't hear it. Speak louder.

***.

Ramchander refused to clean up
Capt Kapoor's kid's ***!

That's why Capt Kapoor said
you are a night soil worker

and a cobbler, a *** wiper!

How dare you refuse to clean
up the ***?

Your ancestors have been carrying
baskets of our *** on their heads.

Did Ramchander say that to you?

Yes.

He could be lying.

Ramchander doesn't lie, sir.

I have heard Capt Kapoor abusing
in that manner, quite often.

What did you do about it?

Did you report to the CO?

Sir, I figured let me not
spread such a vile story.

It would be better to
resolve it in private.

Very good idea, Subedar.
Well thought out move.

Never allow talk of
justice to spread.

The powerful have been
doing that for ages now.

They have been putting
down injustice.

Very well done!

But you forgot

that a tiny injustice leads to
a bigger one.

If you'd reported this
to your CO Col Rawat

an officer would not be dead.

This court martial would not
take place.

I should have told the CO
all about it.

I made a huge error.

No Subedar, you didn't make
any mistakes.

This is our system.

This is how we live.

Suppress the complaints of
the lowly and weak.

Ignore the mistakes of
the powerful and mighty.

That is our system for you.

You didn't make any errors,
Subedar.

You can leave.
I have no further questions.

Sir.

I would call on Capt Kapoor
for his testimony.

Sir.

Capt Kapoor, why did you
receive these medals?

Well, I got these medals for...
- In Hindi, please...

Sir, I am not proficient in Hindi.

I may be allowed to speak in
English.

Capt Kapoor, where were you born?

In Punjab, Amritsar.

Where were you educated?
- In Punjab, Amritsar.

I did my BA from there.

I saw that.

I saw your certificates for
the Matric and BA degrees.

Well, I saw the certificates.

It's surprising.

You chose Hindi at both levels
and cleared the exams.

And yet you don't know Hindi.

I was born in Bengal.

I was educated in Bengal and
yet I can speak Hindi.

What language do you
speak to the soldiers in?

I can speak a smattering of
pidgin Hindi.

Pidgin?

What does that mean?

Do you feel insulted about
speaking in Hindi?

Insulted?

Officers always speak in English.

This has been prevalent since
the time of the British, you know.

Capt Kapoor.

The British era has passed
years ago.

Capt Roy.
- Sir.

We aren't arguing language here.

Let him speak in English
if he wishes to.

Okay, sir.

Capt Kapoor, tell me.

Why did Ramchander
complain to Subedar Balwan Singh?

These days, people from good
families don't enter the army.

The lower castes are recruited
and this is the consequence.

Constant complaints.
Shaming, blaming.

You mean, shamming.

Yeah, whatever it is.

What do you mean by good families?

I mean people from good families
which are well to do.

Recruit the naked and
the damned in the army

and give them 2 square meals
and they will lose it.

Of course! Why won't that happen?

Capt Kapoor, you come from
very good stock.

The family is well to do, right?
- Of course.

Our ancestors have ruled since
the last four generations.

IAS, IPS, IFS.

Army, Navy, Air Force.

You name it and you see them
there.

Truly

your family tree is fabulous.
- Yes.

I am proud of it.

Where is your dad, at present?

At home.

What did he do?

He retired as a DIG.

Couldn't he make it to IG?

Just asking.

Are you saying being
DIG isn't good enough?

It is not!

But during the last five years of
service, he was suspended twice.

So what? Nothing was proved.

He came out with flying colours.

But as far as I know...
- Capt Roy.

Please, please.

You can't defame someone's parents.

None of this is relevant.

Who is the court martial for?

His parents? Or Capt Kapoor?

Or is Sawar Ramchander in
the dock?

I am really sorry, Major Puri.

I won't ask any such questions.

I just want to know what
good family implies.

If you have cleared that up,
let's move on.

A lot has been cleared up, sir.

Capt Kapoor, please tell me.

Why did you lose in the 5,000
metre race to Ramchander?

Ramchander used to herd cattle
in the village.

I bet he used to chase animals
all day long.

Defeating me in the race
didn't make him Superman, did it?

No, you are Superman.

Since

every night, you fly high in
the mess.

Since you drink till late at night
in the mess

you have been warned off
by Col Rawat.

I guess, that's why
you lost the race.

Once you lost the race to
Ramchander

you began to insult him
every single day.

Ramchander became the enemy,
right?

Captain, enemies are equals
not inferior folks.

Who is inferior?
- Lowly folks.

By that you mean people
like Ramchander.

Capt Kapoor

you called Ramchander
a night soil worker, a cobbler

and cleaner.

He lied.

Is it a crime to call
a cleaner a cleaner?

It's not a crime.

It's not a crime,
Bhikaridas Kapoor.

Please refer to my name properly.
It's B D Kapoor.

I saw your Matric certificate.
Your full name is stated as

Bhikaridas Kapoor.

Do you know why your mother
named you thus?

Because you were born after
they pleaded to many sages.

Your elite class family believes
in the superstition that

when a son is born after
a lot of difficulty

he is given a vile and lousy name

like for example
Bhikaridas Kapoor.

Don't you dare call me by
any other name! It's B D Kapoor!

If you can call a cleaner
a cleaner

then why can't I call you
by your own birth name?

Bhikaridas Kapoor?

Stop it. Stop it otherwise...

What can you do? Slap me?

You slapped Ramchander.

When he refused to be abused.

The way you slapped your wife

when she is called you impotent

and so much more...
- You ***!

You ***! I will kill you.
- Back off!

Captain!
- Sir.

Don't you dare touch me.

Shamsher.

Relax.

Capt Kapoor.

Go back to your seat.

All my questions are answered,
sir.

I don't have any other questions
for Capt Kapoor.

Major Puri.
- Sir.

Do you have any questions?
- No, sir.

The defence counsel may present
his witness, if he wishes.

Capt Roy, do you want to
produce any witness?

I don't wish to answer any of
your questions.

I committed murder and
should be punished for it.

You will be punished for sure.

What is your name?

I told you, I won't answer you.

I didn't ask you a question.

I asked for your name.

Your name is

Ramchander.

After Lord Ramchander.

Lord Ramchander won the good fight
for justice.

I guess, that is why your parents
named you thus. Right?

I don't know why my parents
named me Ramchander.

But Capt Mohan Verma and
Capt Kapoor always said

these days every cleaner
and cobbler is called Ramchander.

I don't wish to answer you.

I have confessed to
killing Capt Mohan Verma.

Do you want a Paramvir Chakra
for doing that?

Do you want to get garlanded
for that?

You will be hanged.

You will hang for killing someone.

How proud you are of
killing someone.

Do you think you are God?

You didn't scared to kill,
but you don't dare to speak here.

The laws and the Constitution
gives the lower castes concessions

but you all wish to
stay as you are!

Repressed, cowardly and scared.

After swearing to tell the truth

you are refusing to say a word!

Capt Mohan Verma and
Capt Kapoor were right.

Ramchander the rat!
Ramchander the cleaner!

The night soil worker!
- Don't you abuse me, sir!

I told you, I won't answer you.

Ramchander.

You are an important soldier
in the army.

The regiment is proud of you.

We are not your enemies.

Tell us what happened to you
truthfully.

You lived bravely.

Face the truth bravely.

Ramchander.

You didn't stop the two officers
at the guardhouse that night.

You didn't challenge them.

But despite that, they stopped
their motorbike there.

Why?

When I was on guard duty
they would stop their bike there.

They would abuse me.

I got my duty changed,
after telling the Subedar.

What did they call you that night?

What did they call you that night,
Ramchander?

Tell me, what did they call you?

Night soil worker! Cobbler!

You ***!

My mother must have slept
with a higher caste man!

I bet she slept with
an upper caste man.

Sir, I have no further questions
for Ramchander.

Major Puri.

Do you have any more questions?
- No, sir.

Ramchander.

Sit down.

Major Puri.
- Sir.

Your closing statement.

Sir, Sawar Ramchander has confessed
to it all.

I have nothing else to prove.

Capt Roy certainly tried to prove
that

Sawar Ramchander was
treated cruelly.

Let's admit he was mistreated
but in a society which

prides and founds itself
on the law and justice.

There are other ways of rebellion.

But no!

Sawar Ramchander had to

resort to one way.

To murder.

Sawar Ramchander could have
complained to the CO

to the Army Chief

and the highest ranking officer

of the Army, the President.

But he chose not to do so.

Let's admit that these two officers
hassled him.

They abused him.

But that is an ethical issue.

You don't counter abuse
with a bullet.

Never.

Every soldier in the army

is trained with discipline

and taught diligence to duty,
endurance

and courage, too.

If every soldier begins to
react in this manner

then he is no better than
a hooligan on the streets.

Sawar Ramchandra has

committed murder.
He fired a gun.

That's why under
the Indian Army Act 69

and under the Indian Penal Code,
Section 302

Sawar Ramchander
should be punished stringently.

So that in future no soldier
can dare to do so.

It would be a lesson to
every soldier of the country.

I don't have anything further
to add, sir.

Thank you so much.

Capt Bikash Roy.

Major Puri is absolutely right,
legal council.

We live in the kind of society

which is founded by
the law and system.

There is no room for a personal
dissent in this society.

Our society, the law and
the system

has accepted ways to
express dissent.

But do those paths lead
anywhere at all, sir?

Do they go anywhere at all?

They don't lead anywhere, sir.

Opposition is not an act.

It won't wait for

the last act to take place.

Powerful peoples' dissent
is called political

and that takes them into
the corridors of power at once.

And the dissent of the weak

will be branded rebellion.

It leads them to the noose
in one move.

The smaller forms of
dissent are constantly suppressed.

They are ignored and
not seen, constantly.

There is an explosion every time.

A deadly explosion.

The society which is run on
the basis of casteist issues

and discriminate against
people based on high and low

it will always be a short lived
society.

The country has been free
since 72 years.

But we are still slaves, sir.

Enslaved by human predispositions
and mentalities.

We are still enslaved by
these feudal tendencies.

Forget about equality, sir.

We don't want to offer the right
of equality to inferior folks.

Major Puri is absolutely right,
sir.

Ramchander has committed a crime.

He must be punished.
He should hang for this.

Despite vowing to protect
the country

he has refused to clean
his officer's kid's ***.

That's a crime.

Despite vowing to protect
the country

he refused to listen to
his officer's abuses

and that is a crime.

As per the Indian Army Act 69 and
the Indian Penal Code, Section 302,

Ramchander should be
hung to death.

He should be sentenced to
death, over and over!

What do you say?

I will give the decisive vote.

Life and death will be decreed
by my casting vote.

You ***!

What are you looking at me?
- Kapoor!

Why are you looking at me?
- Kapoor!

Stop him!

Gentlemen! Kapoor!
- Stop it!

Don't look at me!

Get him out of here! Come on!

Sir.

He did not survive.

Come on!

Sir.

The gun went off when Capt Kapoor
tried to snatch it.

Ramchander.

I have nothing for you
apart from a death sentence.

I will accept whatever you give me,
sir.

Capt Bikash Roy.

Can you tell me

what just happened

what was that?

Let me tell you.

Poetic justice.