I May Be Your Judge, But Not An Executioner

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 24 July 2025 "I may be your judge, Monsieur, but I refuse to be your executioner." The aforementioned quote by Alexandre Dumas, represents a powerful and moral stance towards justice. It captures the inherent responsibility that comes with the role of a judge, who is tasked with making decisions that can ultimately determine an individual's fate. Dumas emphasizes the importance of separating judgment from punishment, highlighting the need for fairness and compassion in administering justice. By refusing to assume the role of an executioner, Dumas advocates for a system that prioritizes mercy and upholds the value of human life, even in the face of the most severe crimes. This quote serves as a timeless reminder of the significance of justice tempered with empathy. In this context of justice tempered with empathy and also sagacity, one must mention Bombay High Court's recent epochal verdict. The Bombay High Court on Monday, July 21, quashed and set aside the judgment of a special MCOCA court, which sentenced five people to death and another seven to life imprisonment for conspiring and executing a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai's Western Railway local line, that killed 187 people. Acquitting all 12 convicts, a special bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak observed that the prosecution had "utterly failed" to prove the case and it was "hard to believe they committed the crime." "The prosecution has utterly failed to prove the case against the accused. It is hard to believe that the accused committed the crime. Hence their conviction is quashed and set aside," the HC said. While this verdict came rather late but as they say, it's always better late than never. Half a loaf is better than none! Dr Martin Luther King Jr. aptly said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." While achieving justice may be a long and arduous process, it is ultimately driven by a moral compass that includes empathy and compassion for all individuals. Justice without compassion is a cruel and heartless thing. It becomes too matter-of-fact and devoid of feelings. True insight comes from standing in solidarity with victims. Abraham Lincoln was also of the same view when he said, " I've always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." Let's hope, Indian nurse Nimisha Priya's execution in Yemen is not carried out. Qisas or retributive justice (often summarised as 'an eye for an eye') has no place in a civilised world. Though it's laudable the way, Indian govt. is trying to save her life, one feels, the government of India could and should have shown the same level of empathy and intensity in the case of the ill-fated and very poor Shahzadi Khan. To jolt the readers' memory, Shahzadi Khan was recently executed in Abu Dhabi, UAE, after being convicted of murdering the infant son of her employers. The execution took place on February 15, and news of it was confirmed by the Indian government on March 3. Her family claims she was inadequately represented and that the child died from complications of a vaccination, not asphyxiation as the court ruled. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. ---- French writer Alexandre Dumas' birth anniversary falls on July 24 ------ URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/judge-executioner/d/136273 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism