Lucifer's Last Sin ✔️

• Chapter Thirty - Two •

As the police officers led Lucifer into the courtroom, he looked weak and defeated, with chains holding him down. The scars on his body bore witness to the unspeakable torment he endured within the prison's merciless walls. He walked with a limp. Cabir's fists clenched with seething anger, as he saw his best friend in that condition. He muttered to himself, "I will not spare those responsible for Lucifer's suffering, particularly Officer Xavier. Your bad time has begun."

Soon, it was Manik's turn to face the judge, and the courtroom brimmed with anticipation as the pivotal hearing began.

"Your Highness, look at this man." The public prosecutor, Emma Jacobson, stared at Manik as she spoke. "He is none other than Mr. Manik Malhotra, also known as Lucifer. This wicked man has committed countless atrocities: abducting and killing thousands of people, and masterminding thefts of billion of euros. A staggering 141 cases have been lodged against him."

Simon interjected, "I object, my lord! Is there any proof connecting my client to these terrible crimes? There have been no witnesses or evidence to back up these allegations.

Emma's laughter echoed through the courtroom. "How could one expect to find witnesses? This devil had them killed," she scoffed.

"Ms Jacobson, the court demands concrete evidence. Do you have any proof against my client, or are these merely baseless allegations?" Simon inquired. "Let us not stray from the matter at hand, the 'Nandani Murthy Murder case.' Will we finally address it?"

"Allow me, my lord, to shed light on Nandani Murthy. She was twenty-three years old. Her life was shattered when her beloved fiancé, Mr. Dhruv Kapoor, was ruthlessly assassinated eight months ago, by Mr Malhotra," Emma revealed. "Nandani Murthy was the sole witness to this heinous act."

"My lord, I must object. Is the public prosecutor not aware that Ms. Murthy retracted her statement, and no evidence linking my client was ever discovered? He was proven innocent," Simon emphasized. "I implore you once again, Ms. Jacobson, stop these allegations and present any evidence you may possess against my client to the court."

"Objection sustained," the judge proclaimed. Do you have any proof, Ms. Public Prosecutor, that Manik Malhotra was responsible for Nandani Murthy's death? Let us focus our attention on the core of this case."

"Certainly, Your Honor," Emma responded confidently. "As per the forensic report, Nandani Murthy was killed between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The bullet found from her skull during the autopsy was 762mm long with a barrel length of 262mm which matches Manik Malhotra's pistol bullet."

"When the police seized the weapon, there were only three bullets left in his gun," she went on to explain. "Manik Malhotra shot Richard Periera first, followed by Mr Aryaman Khurrana, before killing Miss Nandani Murthy with the third bullet."

"Objection again, my Lord," Simon retorted. "Miss Public Prosecutor, I'd like to remind you that Mr Richard Periera was murdered with an SRS B6 with 17 round magazines, and all seventeen bullets were found in his body. Another fact is that the cops found only one pistol from my client."

The judge nodded, "Objection Sustained. What does the public prosecutor have to say now?"

"My lord," the public prosecutor began, "I have an eyewitness to this heinous crime - Mr. Aryaman Khurrana. Manik Malhotra fired a shot into his abdomen while he bravely tried to protect his friend, Nandani. With your permission, may I summon him to testify?"

"Permission granted!" the judge, nodded.

Cabir's breaths came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding against his chest wildly as Aryaman stood in the witness box.