Soon after the verdict on the 2008 Batla House encounter was announced on Thursday afternoon, the family of slain’s Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma was relieved and satisfied. Sharma’s parents and his widow said the judgement quashed all doubts being raised over the genuineness of the encounter and also acknowledged his martyrdom.
Maya Sharma on Thursday demanded that Shahzad Ahmed, the IM operative must be given maximum punishment. “I always had full faith in the judicial system. I do not wish to comment on the Government or political parties. A lot of people said different things questioning the encounter, but I knew that Mohan had given his life for the nation. He was a gallant officer. For five years, we have been patient, waiting for the verdict. I am glad that the culprit has been found guilty. I want maximum punishment to be given to him,” she said.
Maya now works as a teacher with a Government school. Her son Divyanshu is pursuing BCom (Hons) and daughter Himani is pursuing English Honours at Delhi University.
Recalling the day, she said her son had been suffering from dengue and was admitted to hospital on the same day. “I had to bear the wound of seeing both my loved ones in hospital on one day. Next day, the dead body of my husband was brought at the doorstep of my home. Such are the tough times that we have gone through,” she said.
However, Maya appeared confident of the circumstances. “I stood on my feet and brought up the children. Mohan was an officer who had received many awards including ‘Ashoka Chakra’. I leave it to my children to decide what they want to be in future. They miss their father as he would guide them,” she sighed.
While Maya maintained her calmness, Sharma’s mother could not hold her tears as she first received the news about the verdict.
Devendri Devi said that it is a relief. However, she emphasised that the next thing they are awaiting is the quantum of statement, which is going to be pronounced on Monday.
“My son earned good name and won various awards how could anyone say that the encounter was fake. My son died and it’s been five years nothing can change that,” lamented Devi.
“We never made any comment on whatever was said about the incident as we were waiting for the verdict to be announced. Whatever happened, we had accepted it as our destiny. But we never lost hope of justice being done to us and above all my husband,” she said.