The limits of law

the nation’s conscience, and a massive search was launched for the mindless killers. Finally, two men, Jasbir singh, alias Billa, 25, and Kuljit singh, alias ranga, 23, were arrested at agra railway station and charged with the murder of the two children. a lengthy court case followed, which ended with both men being condemned to death. a series of appeals followed, but all were turned down, and after their case had passed through various legal stages, both men were hanged on January 31, 1982, in delhi’s Tihar Jail. additional session Judge, M.K. Chawla, delivered the sentence of death. his five-page verdict contained this sentence: “The ends of justice would be met only if the two accused were put to eternal sleep, thereby allowing others to live in peace.” (The Indian Express, april 8, 1979) The judge’s words give an apt illustration of the limits of human law. all that human law can do is separate criminals from the rest of society; it is not capable of delivering the punishment they deserve. To take an innocent life is such a ghastly crime that there is no worldly punishment that can atone for it. a judge in a human court of law cannot punish a murderer in a manner comparable to his crime. he can only prevent those with criminal and homicidal tendencies from causing further harm to human society. The limitations of this world necessitate the coming of another, unlimited world, which will make up for the shortcomings of this world. Without the hereafter, this world is incomplete. here a judge can only separate a criminal from potential victims. it is done to maintain the