Mukundrai Amidas Modi’s family wants the government to ensure that the 7/11 case does not drag on for 13 years like the 1993 serial blasts trial.

“All we want is a quick judgment because justice delayed is justice denied,” says his son Mukesh, 43. “The blast has taken my father away 15 years early. It’s an irreparable loss,” he adds, stressing that at 71, Mukundrai was a very fit person and rarely fell ill.

Mukundrai was born in a village in Saurashtra and shifted to Mumbai when he was 15. Years of hard work bore fruit when he started the now well-established Praful Stationeries at Churchgate, presently managed by his sons.

“My father was very attached to the family business. Despite his retirement, he made it a point to attend office everyday to supervise and help us,” says Mukesh, second of Mukundrai’s three sons.

He was equally fond of eating out and travelling. In fact, he was planning to tour Europe this Diwali and “was very excited about it.”

On July 11, Mukundrai, “an extremely disciplined man”, followed his daily routine: an hour-long morning walk and then off to work. Only, that day he left late because he had to attend the housing society’s meeting.

Family and neighbours remember having requested him to stay at home and rest for the day since he was feeling unwell.

“Janey do, nahin to mere betey akele pad jayengey (Let me go, or my sons will be alone),” he had told his elder grand-daughter Shruti, 15.

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