Journalism of Courage
Keenan Santos, then 24, and Reuben Fernandez, 29, were killed on the night of October 20, 2011, when they stood up to a man who was sexually harassing their women friends, including Keenan’s girlfriend Priyanka Fenandez. The group of youngsters had just stepped out of an Andheri restaurant after dinner when the convicted Jeetendra Rana made a pass at one of the girls. Having been told off by Keenan and Reuben, Rana returned with a gang of four men, armed with choppers.
The Mumbai sessions court on Thursday convicted all four accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment till death.
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The group stabbed the two boys, Keenan died the same night. Reuben succumbed to his injuries on October 31, 2011.
The attack was described as brutal in the chargesheet and sexual harassment was declared as the main provocation in the case. The four accused – Jitendra Rana, Sunil Bodh, Satish Dulhaj and Dipak Tival – were arrested a day after the incident on charges against murder, conspiracy and molestation.
Following a public outcry, the case was transferred to the fast track court in Sewri in March 2012.
Keenan with his finace Priyanka. (Express Archive Photo)
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Keenan’s father Valerian Santos, while talking to reporters, had said, “I would not ask for capital punishment because I know it’s not rarest of rare case...But I will ask for life imprisonment because I want the accused to know what Keenan and Reuben’s families are going through,” he added.
The grieving father has been disappointed with the speed of the legal process despite being “fast tracked”. Numerous times the accused were not produced, following which the Santos and Fernandez families asked for them to be transferred to nearby jails. Valerian has also faced threats and was given police protection last year which he discontinued.
(Express Archive Photo)
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In the Santos household, a board bearing a cross and three photographs of Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandez serves as a constant reminder of the youngsters’ brave fight on that October night. (Express Archive Photo)
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Not so long ago, the Amboli household was a lively place with Keenan’s friends gathering there at all times. Valerian has tried to ensure that the incident would not change anything else for his wife and two other sons. "I don’t want them to live differently after this incident or be scared of venturing out," he says.
Keenan's mother, Valerie Santos with the family dog Buddy at their home in Amboli. (Express Archive Photo)
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The Santos family admits that some change in attitude has been visible in the locality and in the city since 2011. But for them, the real victory has come only now, that the case is put to rest.
Keenan and Reuben with their friends.(Express Archive Photo)
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