Not a rubber stamp.

THIS is with reference to the letter 'Overcoming lacunae to deliver justice' (Nov 5), which stated that under law a murderer is forgiven by the relatives of the victim either voluntarily, or after receiving compensation, or upon coercion to enter into settlement, and, all this while the state remains a silent spectator to this heinous crime. What is lost sight of is the fact that the state through the judge is the third and necessary party in the deal.

Before passing such an order, the judge must be...