MY FINAL REPLY
Thanks to all you guys on TE (esp the MODS) who have been extremely patient and supportive in this unexpected and uncalled-for experience that did shatter me for a few days at first.
After having carefully gone through each and every response of fellow TE’ites on this and the other threads, plus the responses of the so-called perpetrator “titanium_556†& who also desperately masqueraded under various other fake-ID’s, and apart from the many pm’s that he sent me…. This, then is my final response to the entire episode. The listing of points is in no particular order.
1] I am NOT going to file any FIR or register any case against the perpetrator for the simple reason that shortly I will be leaving the country for a long duration of time on work. Since any such case cannot be resolved in a limited time – I would not want anyone else (either my wife & family or TE to shoulder this burden and jeopardise their own lives). I would not want to appoint anyone else (by issuing a ‘power of attorney’) to proceed with the case in my absence. There are many other personal and unavoidable reasons (including financial) that compel me NOT to proceed with any legal case.
2] I WILL HOWEVER HOLD ON TO EACH AND EVERY BIT OF EVIDENCE THAT I HAVE GATHERED and have made multiple copies of the same, which, if and whenever necessary can be used to seek justice.
3] I want this sad incident to always be an eye-opener to all parties.
Innocent lives can be permanently destroyed on both sides. If I am to believe that the ‘perpetrator’ is a young lad whose age is lesser that one third of my own – then both he and his parents should realize that such dastardly acts (that he undertook herein) have a long drawn history, where primarily the parents are to share some part of the blame (where they did not pay sufficient attention to how their child was growing-up) or else they chose to ignore/neglect it. And for the perpetrator – to realize his mistake and show real remorse and reformation.
4] There have been many here on TE who have stated that – "this matter should NOT be taken too lightly and we should pursue it to it’s logical end" – by resorting to legal justice. I am sure that no one ever has seen or heard of such a case on an IT – forum (wherein the perpetrator resorted to target innocent individuals and their families with ‘rape’, slang of the filthiest kind and other threats).
Failure to do so (file a legal case) may only give further confidence to the ‘perpetrator’ that he can get away with anything at all. In the worst case scenario – he may actually perform some of those acts where a lot of damage may be caused. The rest of us may also live with the fear – that such rabid and deviant individuals are living & moving about scott-free each day.
So, what then is the solution ? I feel we need to evaluate each case on its own merit. We need to assess the risks and damages that both parties would face in the event of filing a legal case. We also need to realize that TODAY – we have more than sufficient power at our disposal to shake the living daylights out of any such perpetrator (as was done sufficiently on TE with the stand that it took and the massive support from fellow members). We need to realize that such terror attacks can’t be fought alone. We need also to mobilise resources on each and every ‘forum’ and fight – FB/other IT forums/Twitter/other sites that the perpetrator frequents/gathering all IP addresses/Bank account details and so on.
My inability to pursue the case has been stated above and yet – I am divided on the risks that my action may involve.
It is my humble wish and desire that the ‘perpetrator’ truly reforms in every possible way & maybe tomorrow he is able to guide others, who for whatever false reasons get carried away by peers and their own libidos, who always want to prove their so called infallibility (which is the myth they live each day). I had stated this fact at the outset itself of this entire saga. It is only through 'humility' and 'forgiveness' that we can move ahead.
5] LIKEWISE I DO NOT EXPECT TE OR THE MODS TO GO AHEAD AND FILE ANY CASE WITH ANY AUTHORITY - Either on their own or on my behalf. I understand the implications for all concerned parties (including that rogue's family).
This then is my final decision & I wanted time to think about it. That is also why I did not rush into the arena where all around 'everyone' was voicing their opinions and support & the whole atmosphere was extremely turbulent.
I sincerely wish to thank each and every bloke out here who have supported me and dared to stick their necks out.
This thread may be closed.
Sincerely
Terence G. Fernandes
(Mumbai)