RELATED POST: A Burning Matter
PRESS RELEASE: Baba Ghai was not informed that the verdict would be delivered today and has been in India receiving a course of medical treatment.
He has been informed of the verdict and is returning on the next available flight.
Baba Ghai is saddened by J Cranston's verdict but a full judgement has not yet been received and further comment will be made once that judgement has been absorbed by Baba Ghai and his legal team.
J Cranston has given permission for appeal to the Court of Appeal, stating that, "it seems to me sufficiently a matter of public importance for me to give permission to appeal."
Baba Ghai:
"I respect the decision of the Court but, for me, this is quite literally a matter of life and death. I shall appeal until the very end, in the faith that my dying wish will not go unheard. A matter of such magnitude deserves to be heard by the highest courts in our land and I shall not tire until all legal avenues are exhausted.
It is the final verdict which will decide my fate, notwithstanding any disappointments faced along the way. This is the beginning, not the end. I have been pitted against the might of the Ministry of Justice and Newcastle City Council - but I take solace from the fact that, with faith, a David like me can ultimately overcome the Goliath of state machinery.
In 2006 I offered Northumbria Police an undertaking that I would not encourage or participate in any natural cremations until the legal case was resolved. As a man of honour, I stand by that undertaking and respect the fact that legal proceedings must take their due course.
I am saddened and disappointed that I was not informed a verdict was due today. In light of the extensive and extremely supportive media coverage, I can help wander why this verdict has effectively been issued through the back door, in a manner that makes it difficult to fully respond to the media at this time."
