Libertatem Magazine Issue 1 | Page 36

earnestness is being showed towards granting the actor’s requests and not of other convicts. Such signs on behalf of the police and other concerned authorities are very harmful and bring down the belief amongst the citizens of the country in law and order. Other stories as well The list of celebrities who have gotten themselves involved in judicial proceedings is a lengthy one. From Salman Khan who is involved in a hit-andrun case from 2003 and the illegal black buck shooting incident that actor Saif Ali khan and few other actors are also entangled in to assault cases against many Bollywood stars, the study of whether the judiciary is biased towards celebrities can be studied pretty conclusively. Biased judiciary is a fact! Celebrities and the affluent personalities have life easier as compared to the commoners when it comes to getting away with offences that are unlawful in nature. Actors from the film industry seem to be treated like demi-gods. The cases against them run into mind-bogglingly long timeframes that run into decades. This inordinate delay in justice delivery itself is proof that tactics are used to let these celebs remain free for as long as possible before a verdict is given which if passed may lead to their conviction or the due punishment whichever is applicable. Preferential treatment to celebs is a harsh truth – would they have not suffered a legal consequence in the usual manner by now if not for their being celebrities? So the question is after all, is law really law, when we are talking of celebrities embroiled in legal issues? Hence, Justice is something that should be rendered effectively, rationally and equitably. All citizens, poor or rich, influential or commoner must be held on a common platform and their actions judged through evidences. It is the judiciary who is dutybound towards ensuring this. Ultimately, justice cannot be something that can be bought through money or power or status. The reality however seems different. Hence the answer to the title question will more accurately be answered with a ‘yes’.