Pronounced Guilty by Monica Singh is an eye-opening read. Do the convicted deserve a second chance? Are they worthy of rehabilitation? Can they re-integrate into society? These are the thought-provoking questions the author asks.
The story unfolds through its four main characters – Vijender, an ex-convict, Anusuya, a psychologist, Dushyant, a lawyer fighting to establish open prisons, and Maitreyi, a leading lawyer opposing the motion. Each of these characters is layered and deals with demons from the past. The story starts with Vijender, an ex-offender tired of being regarded with suspicion. A sequence of events draw him into the eye of the storm, setting the backdrop. The enigmatic Dushyant grapples with a personal loss that prompts him to champion the establishment of Bandi Mukti Morcha, or open prisons for rehabilitation. Vijendar, Anusuya and Maitreyi are unwittingly involved in Dushyant’s crusade. Whether he will be successful or not forms the rest of the story.
Pronounced Guilty is by no means a light read. The reader has to pause to allow the context, and the arguments sink in. The courtroom scenes are gritty and realistic, with no over-the-top drama. The author also outlines the on-ground realities and challenges of India’s prison system. The extensive research that the author has put in, shines through. She not only highlights the plight of prisoners but also envisages what happens to them once they are released in the absence of a comprehensive rehabilitation programs. This is not your run-of-the-mill legal thriller; it is an analysis of the psyche of an ex-offender in a world that does not believe in forgiveness. The women are written exceptionally well; the mature and calm Anusuya deals with loss and trauma, while the feisty Maitreyi battles with her emotions stemming from childhood abuse and an acrimonious divorce.
To nitpick, there are quite a few sentences in Hindi and Marathi interspersed throughout the text. While these enhance the authenticity of the setting, they might interrupt the flow, especially to a reader unfamiliar with these languages.
This story is much more than just an experiment on an ethical dilemma. The author does not attempt to answer questions or take a stand. She plants the seeds in the reader’s mind, challenging their prejudices and preconceived notions. She also broadens their perspectives on second chances and who gets them. As a reader, I felt conflicted. Redemption and forgiveness are noble thoughts; but is everyone worthy of it?
