As the Indian judiciary is at its inflection point in recent days, the tale of a slain Italian judge Justice Giovanni Falcone would serve as a reminder

X: @prashanthamine

Mumbai: Indian judiciary seems to be at its inflection point in recent days. 26 days after sacks of burnt cash were found in the aftermath of a fire that broke out in the storeroom of the official residence of former Delhi High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma in New Delhi, quietly took oath of office at Allahabad High Court on April 5.

Yesterday, the Bombay High Court initiated contempt proceedings against lawyer of Disha Salian’s father (Satish Salian) Advocate Nilesh Ojha for alleged ‘scandalous and defamatory remarks against a sitting lady judge of the High Court on April 1.

The two recent incidents surrounding the Indian judiciary have shaken the public confidence in our judicial system.

At this critical juncture it would serve as a good reminder to recall the tale of slain Italian judge, late Justice Giovanni Falcone who took on the might of the notorious Italian mafia and paid it with his life. His assassination sparked public outrage that led to the brutal crackdown on the Italian mafia, breaking its backbone.

Justice Giovanni Falcone -18 May 1939 – 23 May 1992) was an Italian judge and prosecuting magistrate. From his office in the Palace of Justice in Palermo, Sicily he spent most of his professional life trying to overthrow the power of the Sicilian Mafia. After a long and distinguished career, culminating in the Maxi Trial in 1986–1987, on 23 May 1992, Justice Giovanni Falcone was assassinated by the Corleonesi Mafia in the Capaci bombing on the A29 motorway near the town of Capaci.

The assassination resulted in Christian Democracy Party (CDP) led government of Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti (1919-2013) getting voted out in the 1992 general election. He was the 6^th longest serving post-world war II Prime Minister of Italy (23 July 1989-28 June 1992 – 2 years, 341 days).

Justice Giovanni Falcone’s life parallels that of his close friend Paolo Borsellino. They both spent their early years in the same neighborhood in Palermo. Though many of their childhood friends grew up in an environment in which the Mafia had a strong presence, both men fought against organized crime as prosecuting magistrates. Ordinary Italians were sick and tired of the constant mafia gang wars and killings.

They were both killed in 1992, a few weeks apart. In recognition of their tireless effort and sacrifice during the anti-mafia trials, they were both awarded the Gold Medal for Civil Valor and were acknowledged as martyrs of the Catholic Church. They were also named as heroes of the last 60 years in the November 13, 2006 issue of Time magazine.