Justice delayed is justice denied. The old adage has come true in the case of Premkumar Batham, 58, who has been fighting to clear his name of an alleged false case that was registered against him by a cop way back in 2006. Over 12 years on, he continues to suffer the consequences — he lost his business, languished in jail, suffered public humiliation and declining mental health, and is now battling Parkinson's disease (PD) and a cardiac ailment along with the still ongoing trial in court.

The Mira Road resident could have had justice four years ago, when the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) found discrepancies in the case and ruled in his favour, directing the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 75,000. The money was to be deducted from the errant police officer Suresh Patil, who was found guilty of violating Premkumar's human rights. Although the cheque was to be issued within two months, the elderly gentleman only received a cheque last year, and even then, he had to return it. Why? Because the name on the cheque was not his but his brother's.