Getting on with life after nightmare

New Delhi: "It has been a long and tough journey for all three of us," says Bina Ramani, referring to her husband Georges Mailhot, daughter Malini and herself. They have been witnesses in the Jessica Lal murder case.

Speaking to Gulf News from Goa, Bina says, "I have seen extreme ups and downs in the past seven-and-a-half years. It's one such time that one connects only with nightmares. The entire incident has been a numbing experience. But then God carries you through. I believe He gives a testing time to those who can cope with extreme pressures," she adds.

Coming from a business family, she was born Bina Lalvani. Her father named the family business, Binatone, after her. Since the family travelled a lot Bina had an interrupted education. She went to Queens Mary High School, Mumbai followed by Lady Irwin College, New Delhi, before moving to London. She took several diplomas in the Arts at the Regent Polytechnic and Hampstead Art College.

She has been an entrepreneur and apparel and jewellery designer. During the 1970s Bina worked at the Taj Group of Hotels in New York, heading their US operations. Little had she dreamt then about the turbulent life that lay ahead. From being blamed for allegedly destroying evidence in the Jessica murder case to being referred to as a conscientious "star witness", Bina has seen many facets of law and life.

The night of April 29-30, 1999, is etched in her mind. Refused a late-night drink, a man pulled out a gun and fired twice. While the first bullet went into the ceiling, the second killed Jessica, who was then working as a celebrity bartender at Tamarind Court restaurant in Qutab Colonnade, South Delhi.

Bina owned the restaurant and was the host of the party where Jessica was allegedly shot by Manu Sharma, son of former Haryana Power Minister Venod Sharma. Both Bina and her husband tried to catch him but failed.

Bina was accused of running the bar illegally and destroying evidence by asking the servant to clean the bloodstains. The charges were all along denied by her. And as the case progressed, the charges were dropped proving that all along she was right.

The case dragged on for seven years. Hostile witnesses went back on their words. The case crumbled. And finally, the accused was exonerated for lack of evidence.

But after a few months the case went for a retrial and a fresh probe was launched into the investigation that would establish collusion between investigating officers of the Delhi Police and those acquitted.

Bina's nightmare was not over. As part of the conspiracy to discredit her as a witness, she was sent to Tihar Jail as the nation watched in horror at the treatment meted out to a witness. Bina was cool and collected. She had resolved to fight for justice.

"For a long time we had no source of income because our restaurant in question had been shut down by the civic authorities. Trying to gather ourselves, we have recently moved to Goa and are beginning to get on with life," she reasons.

Bina divides her time between Delhi and Goa. She buys old Portuguese homes, restores them to their original glory and sells them. Having been in the spotlight all these years life has taught Bina the value of freedom.

Times are tough. And despite the fact that the case in going in the right direction in some ways, Bina does wonder about the next twist it might take. "One realises that one's life is in control of other people. But what can one do?"